When you don't know where to start, these resources can help you brainstorm topics and get moving in the right direction:
- CQ Researcher This link opens in a new windowCQ Researcher features comprehensive reporting and analysis on timely issues in the news. You can browse by topic or date to find relevant reports on issues like the Senate filibuster, US trade policy, and voting rights.
- Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints This link opens in a new windowThis database brings together a variety of sources around current events and timely topics that are frequently researched by undergraduate students. Browse issues to brainstorm topic ideas and find articles, viewpoint essays, statistics, and more.
- US Government Accountability Office (GAO): TopicsThe GAO produces thoroughly researched, non-partisan reports and testimonies to inform Congress, executive agencies, and the public. Browse topics here or use the search bar to look for reports on a specific subject.
Free on the open web:
- Google NewsGoogle News can be a good starting point for finding recent reporting on a topic. Click the arrow in the search bar to open up advanced options to search for specific phrases and limit results by date.
Note: Never pay for an article! If you hit a paywall, copy and paste the title into EDS (the giant search bar on the library website) or send me an email with the link so that I can track down the full-text for free. - Center for Public IntegrityThe Center for Public Integrity is a nonprofit news organization featuring investigative journalism on the broad topic of inequality.
- NPR PoliticsNPR is a privately and publicly funded non-profit media organization that publishes news stories both in print and audio. Listen to and read transcripts of audio stories.
- ProPublicaProPublica is a nonprofit news organization focusing on in-depth investigative journalism. Search for something specific or browse articles on topics like Politics, Civil Rights, and Regulation.
- VoxVox is a news and opinion website that regularly publishes reporting on politics and political issues.
Free through the IU Kokomo Library:
- MasterFILE Complete This link opens in a new windowThis database includes articles from publications like The New Yorker, Newsweek, Time, and The Atlantic which are frequently behind paywalls. Search for your topic and apply the Publication Date filter to find more recent articles.
- US Major Dailies This link opens in a new windowAccess current and archival issues of the Chicago Tribune, the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post.
- New York Times Academic Pass This link opens in a new windowThe online version of The Times, the most comprehensive existing aggregation of information and content created and published by The New York Times.
IU Kokomo users: To register for access, click on the above resource link. Search for or click on Indiana University Kokomo. Click the on-campus link, or click Go for off campus, and then log in with your IU username and passphrase. You will be redirected to the NYT welcome page. Click Create Account. Complete the registration fields. After registering, you will have full account access for 1 year, after which you will simply need to re-register your email address.
Mobile device users: After you create a personal NYT.com account, you can download the New York Times app from your app store, and then use your account on your own device. - Wall Street Journal Online This link opens in a new windowAccess the world's latest news, business insight, and expert commentary from The Wall Street Journal. This resource allows full access to WSJ.com and Wall Street Journal mobile apps.
IU Kokomo users: You will be prompted to register for access upon your first use of the above link. Log in with your IU CAS credentials, and then complete the registration form with your name and email address to set up your account. You should be able to automatically log in (with CAS) thereafter. You can also use your registered account credentials to log in at WSJ.com or on WSJ mobile apps.
Free on the open web:
Free through the IU Kokomo Library:
- Films On Demand This link opens in a new windowFilms On Demand is a collection of nearly 20,000 streaming videos that cover numerous subjects. Subject collections include: Art & Architecture; Biology; Business & Economics; Criminal Justice & Law; Education; Health & Medicine; Nursing; Psychology; Sociology; and many more. Includes feature to create your own playlists.
- SAGE Knowledge: Politics & International Relations Video Collection This link opens in a new windowThis streaming video collection reinforces course fundamentals, introduces new perspectives, and brings theory to life with in-practice examples. It includes interviews with renowned experts on subjects such as international migration, political philosophy, and the international relations of China. Also discover seminal documentaries from BBC Worldwide and footage of famous political speeches from Martin Luther King, Jr. and John F. Kennedy, among others.
- Gallup News: PoliticsFind news and analysis of public opinion polling on a variety of topics related to politics, including the presidency, foreign affairs, and elections.
- Pew Research Center: Politics & PolicyEven more news and analysis of public opinion polling on a variety of topics related to politics, including political polarization, elections, and demographics.
- Homeland Security Digital Library This link opens in a new windowThis database is a great tool for locating reports, legislation, and statistics relevant to the US Department of Homeland Security. Use the Featured Topics dropdown menu to brainstorm topics and find a wide variety of sources.
- Government Documents Research GuideEasily locate links to the websites for government agencies, offices, and services on our Government Documents Research Guide.
