Evaluating the quality and relevance of the sources you choose and recognizing signs of bias. As you begin your research, you may wish to consult a general reference source, such as an encyclopedia, to get an overview of your topic. The print encyclopedias are found near the beginning of the reference collection in both libraries. A longer list of encyclopedias, arranged into subject areas, can be found on the Library Research Tools page. There are also some sources in the libraries and on the internet that are especially helpful for finding information on topics of current, and often controversial, interest.
Online newspapers are all over the net.
One good starting point is the News and Media section on our Quick Reference page. The searchable Public Agenda Online website offers analysis, statistics and polling results on topics such as crime, education, the environment, health care, race, welfare, etc. To retrieve books from these libraries, you'll need to fill out the ILL Request Form . Be sure to ask a reference librarian if you need assistance. You might find it helpful to have your internet browser open in three windows.