Sciences

Sites for topic Ideas

Login to the sites below using your Titan User Name and Password.

Planning your research

Once you have selected a topic and before you start searching for resources, it is helpful to perform these steps:

Put your topic in the form of a question:

• Topic: algae blooms
• Question: How do algae blooms impact the water supply? 

Break the topic into main concepts:

• algae blooms
• water supply

Brainstorm keywords for each concept:

• Try thinking of synonyms and related terms. A thesaurus may be helpful. 
• List related terms

 Combine your terms in a search

Reference Materials give you a general overview of a subject.

Helpful Tip:
For Reference eBooks try Virtual Reference Library (Gale eBooks).

Books give a broad, thorough treatment of a subject.

Helpful Tip:
To find books use the Library Search or eBook Collection (EBSCO).

Periodicals provide information that is focused, usually from a contemporary point of view.

Helpful Tips:

• For scholarly peer reviewed journal articles search Academic Search Complete.
• For controversial issues try Opposing Viewpoints.
• For local issues search Florida Today.
• For consumer issues search Consumer Reports.

Web Pages can include all information types. Since web publication is fast, use it for very current information.

Helpful Tips:

• Use Advanced Search in Google to limit search results to .edu or .gov. 

• Use Google Scholar to search for scholarly content on the web.  

Media Resources provide visual and auditory details which can not be captured in written text.

Helpful Tips:

• Use Public Domain Pictures to locate images.
• Use Music Online: Listening to find streaming music.
• Use Films on Demand or Ambrose Video or Academic Video Online to view streaming videos.