Choosing a Topic
If you are having trouble figuring out a topic for your paper, try some of these library databases to browse and get inspired!
- Opposing ViewpointsTo get started, click on the little lightbulb that says "Browse Issues," or type in search words in Topic Finder. This database contains "pro" and "con" arguments on controversial issues.
- CQ ResearcherBrowse by Topic, Hot Topic, or Pro/Con to find information on a variety of social issues, and to help you decide on what you'd like your paper topic to be.
- Access World NewsScroll down to near the bottom of the landing page to Hot Topics to browse all kinds of topics in many subject areas, including law, health, politics, the arts, science, business, and many more!
Overviews of a Topic
Once you have your topic, it can be good to get a general overview of what's involved, the history, language, and current status of what you are writing about. These databases can help.
- Gale eBooksA great place to begin your research, Gale eBooks offers thousands of authoritative articles published in academic encyclopedias, and written by subject experts. Gale eBooks provides information you can not only trust, but cite in a paper as well. Formerly called GVRL: Gale Virtual Reference Library.
- SAGE KnowledgeMore than 300 encyclopedias, almanacs, and specialized reference sources for multidisciplinary research.
- Oxford ReferenceMore than 300 dictionaries and encyclopedias covering multiple subjects. Choose between "Quick Reference" and in-depth "Reference Library" titles.
Finding Articles
- FusionFusion allows you to search, in one place, the majority of the library’s books, articles, videos, etc. It includes all the materials in our library catalog Ignacio, as well as the content of the majority of our many databases.
Fusion Search Tips:
Keyword search or Advanced search options:
- Refine results with limits, including Source Types, Language, Dates, etc. Find these on the left side of your results screen.
- Save results to Folder and email, print, and/or export results to RefWorks.
- Use asterisk * for wildcard word endings: lead* = leader, leading, leadership
- Use quotation marks to search for phrases: "religious traditions" or "leadership theories"
Other Interdisciplinary Databases
- Gale Academic OneFileA premier resource for peer-reviewed, full-text journals and reference sources, Gale Academic OneFile is a sophisticated, current and easy-to-use resource for extensive research. With millions of articles available in both PDF and HTML full text, researchers are able to find accurate information quickly.
- Academic Search CompleteAcademic Search Complete, designed specifically for academic institutions, is among the most valuable and comprehensive scholarly, multi-disciplinary full-text database, with more than 8,500 full-text periodicals, including more than 7,300 peer-reviewed journals.
- Ethnic NewsWatchEthnic NewsWatch covers 1990 to present and includes newspapers, magazines, and journals of the ethnic and minority press, providing researchers access to essential, often overlooked perspectives. The publications offer both national and regional coverage
Subject-Specific Databases
Depending on your topic, you may want to explore other subject databases. Click the heading above, then scroll down to view all subject areas.
Business-Related Databases
Databases for company, industry, and other business research topics.
Finding Books
- Ignacio: Library CatalogThe library catalog lets you search across the holdings of Gleeson Library and Zief Law Library, including books, videos, and other materials.
Ignacio Search Tips:
- Search by Keyword, Title, or Author
- Do an Advanced search to add more search words, for more precise results.
- Add results to cart, and then email them or export them to RefWorks
- Use the Request button to order books for delivery or pick up.
Getting Books From Other Libraries
Ebooks
- EBSCO eBook CollectionMore than 165,000 academic ebooks in a wide variety of subjects with unlimited user access.
- ProQuest Ebook CentralProQuest Ebook Central offers more than 140,000 ebooks (with unlimited user access) in a wide range of subject areas, along with powerful tools to help you find, use, and manage the information you need.
- eBook Academic CollectionNearly 160,000 academic ebooks (with unlimited user access) in a wide variety of subjects,
Citing Your Sources
Whenever you do research, you will need to cite the information sources that you use. Here are some tools that can help you with this task, using MLA style:
Gleeson Library's guide to citations: How? Why? When?
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MLA Business Citations: Youngstown State University Scroll down the page to see citations for specific business web sites, reports, and databases cited in MLA style.
- Purdue OWL
Our favorite style guide web site is the OWL from Purdue University. Select MLA style to get started.
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RefWorks
RefWorks allows users to create personal databases to manage, store, and share the information citations/references. Users can automatically insert references from their database into their papers and generate formatted bibliographies and manuscripts in seconds. See our RefWorks Guide for information about creating accounts, adding references, and using add-ons.
Getting Help!
There are several ways to obtain assistance with your research. Read on!
The School of Management has a library liaison named Penny Scott, and you can contact her for help.
Her contact information is: email: plscott@usfca.edu * phone: 415-422-5389
It is best to call or email ahead, or make an appointment, to make sure she is available! Appointments are available virtually via Zoom, or in-person, and are great for groups or individuals.
If Penny is not available, or any time you need help, you can always get help, just Ask a Librarian!
You can also take a look at our Research Guides on many topics!
Gleeson Library Functions and Services
- My Library RecordLog in here to see what books you have checked out, the progress of your book orders from Link+, and to renew items online!
- Gleeson Home DeliveryUSF students, faculty, and staff with classes off-campus (either online or outside the main campus) can have circulating books and media delivered to them. To opt-in to this service, follow steps outlined using the link above.