Try opinion & news articles in publications like
Reason, and
Browse these "front pages" to find a good issue to research, or to find different views on your issue! Be aware that each publication has a certain worldview or political identity. Also Google your topic plus the name of a publication to see what they have on it. If you find articles behind a paywall, or want to search our system, see this guide to newspapers and magazines in the online library collection.
For Christian perspectives and issues, try these:
The Gospel Coalition, and
For education issues, try the
James G. Martin Center for Educational Renewal,
Chalkboard Review, and the
Chronicle of Higher Education.
Look at ideas & research from influential Think Tanks, advocacy groups, churches/denominations, universities, museums, and other non-profits. Here is our library page on think tanks & policy organizations. Note that each one of these will have a certain ideology and certain goals. Look for sixteen indicators of bias.
For ethical and family-related issues, try:
US Council of Catholic Bishops
Or these influential think tanks:
Manhattan Institute (Conservative) and City Journal
AEI --see "Centers" (Conservative or libertarian)
Cato (Libertarian)
Pew Society (Non-partisan)
Brookings (Non-partisan or liberal)
Hoover Institution (Conservative or libertarian)
Then, when you understand the key terminology and debatable issues related to your topic:
1. Start with our Primo search, which looks for everything: books, e-books, articles, videos, and reference (encyclopedias & dictionaries).
2. Go to our individual databases (sign in to Primo first; see recommended ones linked on this page or select ones specific to your topic here)
3. Search Google Scholar & credible internet sources (.gov, .edu, open access research collections, major publications)
4. Search World Cat, Google Books, or Amazon to see all the books that are out there on your topic
5. Use Interlibrary Loan to request that we get you any books or articles you came across that we don't have (you don't need to buy sources!)
6. If you're stuck or need more background knowledge, look up your topic in Google. Try to grasp the basic issues, key terms, important events, influential literature, and major debates.
The librarians have made many short videos, which are posted on our YouTube channel, that explain the best ways to use our tools.
7 Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. (Proverbs 4)