This document provides instructions for using the CQ Researcher database to conduct presearch and find a topic for research. It recommends beginning with the "Hot Topics" or "Browse Topics" sections to find an issue that is interesting, significant, and has multiple sides that can be argued. The document cautions against topics that are overused or about which the student knows too much already. It encourages finding a new topic to learn about. An example is given of using the "Pro/Con" section to explore the debate around a carbon tax. Presearch is distinguished from research, and the goals of presearch are outlined as understanding issues, arguments, theories and deciding what further research is needed.

1. Using the CQ Researcher
Database to Initiate Presearch
Presented by Ann Westrick
Funded by a grant from the Jerome Library
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, Ohio, USA

2. First, go to the library website
Libraries
www.bgsu.edu

3. Once at the library, click on
“All Databases.”
All Databases

4. We’re looking for “CQ Researcher.”
Click on “C,”
C

5. Then scroll down and click on
“CQ Researcher,”
CQ Researcher

6. And connect.
Connect

7. IMPORTANT!
Before going any further, ask your
instructor if s/he has any banned
topics. For example, many GSW
instructors will not allow students to
write about abortion or gun control.

8. Why?
Banning over-used issues requires
students to discover new and
interesting arguments to which they
can add something new. So your goal
when finding a topic should be to find
something that is interesting and
significant whose conversation you can
add to.

9. Back to CQ Researcher . . .
First, look through the “Hot Topics.”
I’m an education
major. Maybe there
will be an education
issue I can write
about?
Hot Topics

10. This article is
informative
enough, but
it’s really not
interesting to
me.
No problem; that’s why this is called presearch. We’ll just keep searching until
we find a topic what is significant and interesting and to which you can add
something new.

11. Let’s go back to the “Hot Topics” list.
I wonder what’s under
“Science and
Technology?”
Check it out—
nothing
ventured, nothing
gained.

12. Now this is interesting; but I don’t know if I’ll be able to
argue this issue. Maybe I should see if there are other
options.

13. Another place you can look for a topic
is “Browse Topics” on the home page.
Browse
Topics

14. You can also look under “Browse
Reports” and click on “Pro/Con.”
Browse Reports

15. “Pro/Con” offers a detailed look at a
more specific issue. For example,
under “Environmental Protection”
there is an interesting, significant
debate about carbon taxation.

16. This article gives a brief, clear look at
two sides of the carbon tax debate.
Oh, wow, this is
interesting and
significant, but I
don’t know anything
about this topic.
This sounds like a good
topic for you to research.
If you already know a lot
about a topic, that’s
OK, but learning about
something new and
cool—THAT’S the crux of
academic argument and
research.

17. Remember: Presearch does NOT take the
place of research.
Presearch allows you to:
• begin to understand the issues involved in your research
question
• understand multiple sides of an argument
• get an overview of theories related to the topic
• see possible answers to your research question
• decide what issues/information you need to continue
researching.

18. Continue presearching until you
find an issue that is significant,
relevant and arguable.
If you need to stop and start over
or backtrack—THAT’S FINE.

19. Keep in mind that presearch is
supposed to pique your interest and
get the research process started.
Once you have found your interesting,
significant, debatable issue then the
search for current, credible, academic
sources begins.