ENG 152: Digital Nation

Exploring Your Topic With Pre-Research

• Helpful if you have an idea for a paper but not a fully-formed research question
• Further explore a topic to see if enough information about a topic exists
• Helps you refine your topic or help you find a new aspect of it to explore

A library database like Opposing Viewpoints is a great place to start. Their Browse Issues feature lists hundred of topics to explore. For each topic, you'll find a summary, as well as a list of numerous sources in various formats.

Pro Tip: For topics related to Digital Nation, click the Topics drop-down list and choose Science, Technology, and Ethics.

Start by reading the summary to gather keywords that look interesting to you.

The Research Process

1. Information need: What is your assignment asking you to find? 
2. Pre-research: Choose a topic, learn more about it, narrow it down, find keywords.
3. Research question: What is your assignment asking you to create?
4. Search strategy: Where will you look for information?
5. Search: Start with the main ideas of your topic or research question.
6. Evaluate every source you find - for credibility and usefulness.
7. Cite: You have found credible sources and answered your research question!

MCC Library

Questions? To contact an MCC Librarian, click on

Ask a Librarian!

The library is temporarily closed for renovations and will reopen in the Fall. For library support, you can visit the table outside of A212 or the A234 office. 

Regular Library Hours

Monday through Thursday

8:00am to 6:00pm

Friday

8:00am to 4:30pm