Doing Research for the

Argument Critique Essay

Electronic Databases:

One key to research, especially on databases like EBSCO, is brainstorming a bunch of keywords before searching (use synonyms, etc.), and not just settling for the most obvious keywords. For example, I would start with these searches:

Lies
Lies and Liars
Types of Lies
Etc.

Materialism
Materialism and Values
Materialism and Benefits
Etc.

Television
Television and Critical Thinking
Television and Benefits
Etc.

Obesity
Obesity and Benefits
Obesity and Happiness
Etc.

Hate Radio
Radio and Racism
Radio and Sexism
Radio and Discrimination
Radio and Free Speech
Etc.

Also, let the database do some work for you; in other words, try some keyword searches and see what the database gives you. For example, when I searched "Lies and Liars," EBSCO gave me choices including Truthfulness and Deception. When I searched Materialism and Values, EBSCO gave me Materialism, which then led to the first article being from the Journal of Happiness Studies. Etc. If you can get "close," the database might give you the better search terms. Pay attention to two things:

  1. The yellow box on the left hand sign, which search terms in blue/underline.
  2. The subject terms within a particular citation page. If you find a particular source you like, follow those terms, or, if given the choice to "Find More Like This," do it.

Be creative with the keyword searching. But also do not just randomly click around. Complete one search in full before starting another. For example, one search I did led to 33 sources. If it were me, 33 is a manageable number. Instead of trying something else, I'd look at the abstract of EACH ONE of the 33 and pick the ones the looked most relevant and/or helpful. Then I'd go on. However, if the search yielded 333, I might try to narrow it down somehow, by date, or by using AND and another keyword.

Reference Section:

Find The Statistical Yearbook; it does have some interesting stuff, especially if you need stats for your paper.

Part Two is "Population and Social Statistics" and includes sections on Population, Education, Nutrition and Childbearing, and Culture and Communication. Under Culture and communication is daily newspapers, cell phones, telephones, and internet users. The ** says that stats. on televisions in use and cinemas can be found in previous issues.