Academic Research Basics for Students: Understanding the Topic -- Background Information

A great starting place for both academic and magazine articles on almost any topic. The fact that Academic Search Complete gives you access to magazine and newspaper articles, as well as academic and technical articles, means some results may be easier to read. Especially if you don't have a lot of knowledge on the subject you are researching.

Provides access to a wide variety of easy-to-read authoritative articles from subject-specific encyclopedias across many major fields of study. A great source for building topic/subject knowledge very quickly. An additional bonus is that the bibliographies included in most articles provide a ready-made map to authoritative academic sources that can save you a lot of time with the research part of your assignment.

Access to newspapers from around the world. Also contains legal and business information. Look up patents with TotalPatent One.

How-to use Opposing Viewpoints video here.
A one-stop source for information on today's most controversial and talked about social issues. This database features viewpoint articles, topic overviews, full-text magazine, academic journal, and newspaper articles, primary source documents, statistics, images and podcasts, and links to Websites. (100% Full Text)