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ENG 101 English Composition: Research Databases

This guide will help you locate resources for your Problem-Solution Research Paper.

OwlSearch: HCC Library's "Discovery Tool"

OwlSearch logo       Start Your Search Here.

HCC Library's discovery tool for searching simultaneously all of the Library's databases, ebook and streaming video collections, and the library catalog.

Reference/Background Info. Databases

These databases provide ESSAYS and BACKGROUND INFO on topics. They can be a good first-step to directing your research topic and becoming more informed of the issues related to the topic.

Databases for In-Depth Research

These databases contain full-text JOURNAL & MAGAZINE ARTICLES. There are many more, but these are a select few that cover various subject areas that often pertain to Eng. 101 research topics. Please ask a librarian for additional recommendations if these do not cover your topic area.

You can view all of the HCC databases.

In-depth databases STEM

Search Tips

When searching databases, follow these tips:

  • Think about what words would be used in an article on your topic. Use these words in your search statements. 
  • Use quotation marks around phrases, e.g., "video games".
  • Combine your keywords with operators: 
    • Using AND will retrieve articles only if they contain all of your keywords. Ex., "video games" AND violence will retrieve articles only if they pertain to both video games and violence.
    • Using OR will retrieve articles that contain either of your keywords. Ex., "video games" OR "online games" will retrieve articles that use either term.
    • Using NOT will eliminate terms. Ex., "video games" NOT Wii will eliminate articles that contain the word "Wii."