This document provides guidance for researching a current event topic by first choosing and refining a topic, then gaining a foundational understanding through general sources like Wikipedia and government websites. It recommends analyzing the topic from different perspectives using opposing viewpoints databases, reputable news sources, and think tanks. The document concludes by listing ways to contact the reference desk for additional research help, including phone, email, chat, and social media.

1. CM-113
Researching Current Events

2. Choose a Topic
Domestic Surveillance

3. Refine Topic
Mind Map
Ask Questions
Verbal Vomit

4. Gain a Foundation
 Search for general information and gain a foundation of
knowledge.
 Wikipedia (Don’t Cite-Glean & chase footnotes)
 Encyclopedia Britannica Academic Edition (AVL)
 OneSearch
 Research starter
 Government Documents
 USA.gov
 CIA.gov
 Congress.gov (primary legislation & arguments from policy makers)

5. Analyze & Gather
 Once informed access articles that analyze the event
from different perspectives.
 Opposing Viewpoints Database
 Great place for news and analysis of current events
 Argues both sides of the event (Don’t read until you have a
foundation)
 New York Times, Washington Post, and more
 Be careful! There is a lot of crap
 Think Tanks
 RAND: http://www.rand.org/
 Brookings: http://www.brookings.edu/

6. Contact
 Contact the reference desk
 in person, phone, chat, email, etc.
 Call us: (256)824-6529
 Text us: (256) 286-2368
 Chat with us: http://libanswers.uah.edu/
 https://twitter.com/uahlibrary
 https://www.facebook.com/uahlibrary
 Seth Porter: Instructional & Reference Librarian: 256.824.6130
 smp0024@uah.edu