Use the words below to search for useful information in books including eBooks and articles at the MJC Library.
To access eBooks if you're off campus, you'll need to log in using your MJC student ID (without the W) and your six-digit birth date.
Doing some background reading at the beginning of your research helps you understand your topic right from the start. You'll be able to put your topic in context and create research questions that will drive your search for information to support the points you want to make. In addition, when you begin hunting and gathering information, you’ll know if what you’re finding is relevant and useful.
The list of sources for background reading below provide broad topic overviews to help you understand and place your topic in context.
All of these resources are free for MJC students, faculty, & staff. If you're working from off campus, you'll need to sign in just like you do for your email or Canvas. |
Use this database for preliminary reading as you start your research. You'll learn about your topic by reading authoritative topic overviews on a wide variety of subjects.
Use this database when you want to explore your topic from a global perspective or to analyze and understand the most important issues of the modern world with a global awareness. You'll find news, global viewpoints, reference materials, country information, primary source documents, videos, statistics, and more.
Why search here? Use this database when you want to find comprehensive, unbiased reporting and analysis to get background information on issues in the news.
What's included: Overview reports of topics related to health, social trends, criminal justice, international affairs, education, the environment, technology, and the economy in America.
Now that you've completed your background reading and have an idea of the points you want to make, you'll use the resources below to help you explore your topic further and to answer your research questions.
All of these resources are free for MJC students, faculty, & staff. If you're working from off campus, you'll need to sign in just like you do for your email or Canvas. |
Why search here? Search 22 databases at the same time that cover almost any topic you need to research at MJC. This is a good resource to use when you want to delve deeper into your subject.
What's included: EBSCO databases include articles previously published in academic journals, magazines, newspapers, books, and other media outlets.
This is a great database to use when you want to explore different viewpoints on controversial or hot-button issues. It includes reports on more than 800 hot topics in business, politics, government, education, and popular culture. Use the search or browse topics by subject or A to Z.
Why search here? Use Access World News when you need to find current news stories. It's especially useful for local and California news. This is your source for The Modesto Bee from January 1989 to the present.
What's included: Articles from of local, regional, and national U.S. newspapers as well as full-text content of key international sources. It includes in-depth special reports and hot topics from around the country.
Watch this short video to learn how to find The Modesto Bee.
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In addition, search Google Scholar to find scholarly information on the Web.
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These videos come from an MJC Library Database named, Films on Demand. Once you click the image, you'll need to login just like you do for all of our other databases.
Why Women Count: Africa, Middle East, South Asia
Specifically, view the segment entitled, South Africa—Finding Grace
An international group of high school aged girls begins a 4-week exploration of the meaning of health in their lives. Each woman suggests health issues that affect them.
The situation for women in Africa varies from country to country. In Kenya, women are responsible for everything from farming to cooking to building their homes.