LibGuides: SPAN 480 Research Guide: Choosing a Topic

Databases and web resources for generating topic ideas

Points of View Reference Center
The Points of View Reference Center helps you identify paper topics topics and the different points of view within them.
Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center
Opposing Viewpoints provides multiple points of view for all the topics it covers.
ProCon.org
ProCon is a private, nonprofit organization that provides nonpartison information about controversial issues.
New York Times Topics
This is a list of current topics and links to articles on these topics from the New York Times.
SIRS Researcher
The SIRS Researcher contains short essays that present different and often clashing sides on an issue. This is another useful resource for generating topic ideas.

Idea Generation Techniques

Silent writing technique for generating ideas
Brief description of the silent writing technique used to generate ideas without the limitations of brainstorming.

Gastropod Podcasts

Gastropod looks at food through the lens of science and history. You can subscribe to the podcasts via iTunes or RSS feed, or you can listen to individual podcasts on the web site.

Gastropod