Find Articles & Videos - ENG 111 - Writing and Inquiry - LibGuides at Alamance Community College

Why use a Library Database?

Database Search Tips

Do not use complete sentences when searching the library databases. Use keywords and very short phrases to search. Use the tips below to get started.

Use Boolean Operators (AND, OR and NOT) to link terms in a search.

obesity AND children

global warming OR climate change

oil NOT petroleum

Try similiar words or synonyms for your topic.

obesity OR overweight

children OR adolescents

college OR university

youth crime OR juvenile crime

Search for varying forms of a word. Place an asterisk * after the root of a word.

For example: child* - This searches for the words: child, child's and children.

ALWAYS check your spelling when searching library databases.

If you get stuck, ask a librarian for help!

Databases for Argumentative/Persuasive Topics

Opposing Viewpoints in Context This link opens in a new window
Gale's Opposing Viewpoints In Context is the premier online resource covering today's hottest social issues, from capital punishment to immigration to marijuana. This cross-curricular research database supports science, social studies, current events, and language arts classes. Informed, differing views help learners develop critical-thinking skills and draw their own conclusions.

Opposing Viewpoints In Context is a rich resource for debaters and includes pro/con viewpoints, reference articles, interactive maps, infographics, and more. A category on the National Debate Topic provides quick and easy access to content on frequently studied and discussed issues. Periodical content covers current events, news and commentary, economics, environmental issues, political science, and more.

Specific titles include The New York Times, Newsweek, Foreign Policy, American Scientist, and Education Week.
SIRS Issues Researcher This link opens in a new window
Research the pros and cons of current issues and enduring social issues through full-text articles, multimedia, primary sources, government documents and reference materials.
CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window
Reports on issues shaping our world, with in-depth coverage of political and social issues, such as health, education, the environment, technology, and the U.S. economy.

History Reference Center This link opens in a new window
Searchable database indexing over 200 historical periodicals and reference sources. Contains historical documents, biographies of historical figures, historical maps, photos and much more.

General Medical Databases and Websites on NC LIVE

MedlinePlus
- This link opens in a new window
Common diseases and conditions, health promotion and wellness, drugs info, medical dictionaries and more.

Consumer Health Database This link opens in a new window
Magazines and journals covering consumer health topics, such as sports injuries, women's health, food and nutrition, midwifery, eye care and dentistry.
Health & Medical Collection This link opens in a new window
Clinical research plus consumer and health administration titles.
Healthcare Administration Database This link opens in a new window
Research supporting professional healthcare management and healthcare administration.

General Databases

ProQuest Central This link opens in a new window
This database serves as the central resource for researchers at all levels. Covering more than 160 subjects areas, ProQuest Central is the largest aggregated database of periodical content. This award-winning online reference resource features a highly-respected, diversified mix of content including scholarly journals, trade publications, magazines, books, newspapers, reports and videos.
ProQuest Research Library This link opens in a new window
General reference database from business and political science to literature and psychology scholarly journals, trade publications, magazines, and daily news content, accessible to readers and researchers at every level.
U.S. Newsstream This link opens in a new window
News content from many national and international newspapers, newswires and selected news magazines.

Search Everything with Summon

Films on Demand This link opens in a new window
Thousands of high quality videos on business & economics, health & medicine, humanities & social sciences, and science & mathematics, as well as travel and fitness programming, home and how-to videos, indie films, and popular music performances. Includes Oscar, Emmy and Peabody award winning documentaries, interviews, instructional and vocational training videos, historical speeches and newsreels.

Films on Demand - APA and MLA citation formats
DO NOT USE THE CITATION TOOL on Films on Demand. The tool works poorly.

Here is a link to Gwinnett Technical College, providing both the correct MLA & APA formats when citing any videos in Films on Demand.

Creating an Effective Search Strategy

Created by University of Minnesota Libraries

Literature Databases

Use the databases below for literary criticisms, plot summaries, author biographies and much more.

Literature Resource Center This link opens in a new window
Articles, critical essays, work and topic overviews, full-text works, and biographies covering authors, their works, and literary movements.
Gale Literary Sources This link opens in a new window
Combines Literature Resource Center with Gale Virtual Reference Library in one interface. Articles, critical essays, work and topic overviews, full-text works, and biographies covering authors, their works, and literary movements.
ProQuest Learning: Literature This link opens in a new window
Full-text works of poetry, prose and drama, and secondary sources such as author biographies, literary criticisms, essays, reviews and interviews. Designed with schools and public libraries in mind.

JSTOR

JSTOR This link opens in a new window
JSTOR is part of ITHAKA, a not-for-profit organization helping the academic community use digital technologies to preserve the scholarly record and to advance research and teaching in sustainable ways.

Our JSTOR coverage includes biological sciences, history, sociology, political science, economics, and language and literature.