Background Reading:
It's important to begin your research learning something about your subject; in fact, you won't be able to create a focused, manageable thesis unless you already know something about your topic.
This step is important so that you will:
If you're working from off campus, you'll need to sign in. Once you click on the name of a database, simply enter your student ID (without the W) and your six-digit birth date.
Top Picks:
All of these resources are free for MJC students, faculty, & staff.
Immigration is a complex issue that involves the law, the economy, and politics. You could concentrate on one issue and do in-depth research on that, or use several of the questions below to focus more generally on the topic of immigration.
Use books to read broad overviews and detailed discussions of your topic. You can also use books to find primary sources, which are often published together in collections.
You'll use the library catalog to search for books, ebooks, articles, and more.
If you need materials (books, articles, recordings, videos, etc.) that you cannot find in the library catalog, use our interlibrary loan service.
Melting Pot or Civil War? A Son of Immigrants Makes the Case Against Open Borders by 
Building Walls: Excluding Latin people in the United States by 
The Criminalization of Immigration: Truth, Lies, Tragedy, and Consequences by All of these resources are free for MJC students, faculty, & staff.
Search using the Key Search Words in this guide, or use words more specific to your topic.
If you're working from off campus, you'll need to sign in. Once you click on the name of a database, simply enter your student ID (without the W) and your six-digit birth date.
Find videos and documentaries about immigration in Films on Demand. These film resources are free for MJC students, faculty, & staff. If you're working from off campus, you'll need to sign in, using your student ID (without the W) and your six-digit birth date.
Type immigration in the search box to access videos on this topic.
Use Google Scholar to find scholarly literature on the Web:
Browse Featured Web Sites:
Your instructor should tell you which citation style they want you to use. Click on the appropriate link below to learn how to format your paper and cite your sources according to a particular style.
