The library has a number of books from the Opposing Viewpoints, Current Controversies, and At Issue series that can assist you in selecting a topic for a research paper. Search "opposing viewpoints" or "current controversies" or "at issue" in the online catalog. (Be sure to select "Durham Libraries"!)
Learned Helplessness, Welfare, and the Poverty Cycle by 
When Is Free Speech Hate Speech? by 
Harm Reduction: Public Health Strategies by Credo Reference features more than 600 online reference books. You'll find helpful topic pages, articles from encyclopedias in many disciplines, and links to articles in other library databases.
Credo Reference features hundreds of encyclopedias and dictionaries. This is a great source for background reading about a topic.
Opposing Viewpoints covers the pros and cons of today’s important social issues. The differing viewpoint articles from magazines, journals, and newspapers present both sides of an issue.
CQ Researcher provides in-depth coverage of current topics. Articles include an overview, historical background, pro/con, and more.
