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Buena Vista University

Choosing a research topic

This guide will introduce library resources you can use to help you choose a topic for a paper or a speech.

New York Times @ BVU

New York Times

BVU users need to create their own account for the NYT with the Academic Pass program. 

Step 1. Find the New York Times on the A-Z Database list. 

Step 2.  Click on the New York Times link to begin setting up your account.

Step 3.  Click on "Create Account" button.

Account creation screen for the New York Times

Step 4. Enter your BVU email address and a password that you can remember.

Step 5.  You'll get a message to check your email for a message from NYTimes.com.  Open that email and click the link in the email to verify your account.

Step 6. If your email address is verified, you'll be returned to the NYTimes page where you will select either a Student or Faculty/Staff account.

 Students should select their expected graduation year and then click the Sign Up button.  If you have faculty or staff status, just click the "Sign Up" button.  Your student account will be active until Dec. 31 of your anticipated graduation year.  Faculty and staff will need to renew their accounts every year.

Step 7.  If you want to access the NYTimes from your cellular device, a QR code shows up on one of the "introduction screens."  You can also download a free app to the NYT where you normally get apps at any time.  

The introduction screens also allow you to customize newsletters and alerts that the NYT emails to you. If you prefer, this customization can be easily done anytime from the "Account" link in the upper right corner of the NYT screen or skipped entirely.

Step 8.  Test your account by going to nytimes.com and clicking on Account link in upper right corner to see if you are recognized.

Once your account is created, simply log in to the New York Times for free and unlimited access to current articles.  You can access the NY Times either through the library A-Z database page OR just type in nytimes.com in your web browser.  Your account should be recognized either way.

To customize articles that are sent to you, including breaking news and daily headlines, go to Account in the upper right corner, then "Account Settings" and then "Email and Settings" and then "Newsletters" to select the content that interests you.

To find previously published articles, click on the magnifying glass icon in the upper left to search past issues of the newspaper.

Wall Street Journal @ BVU

Buena Vista University has a site license so that everyone on campus can access the Wall Street Journal electronically. You must set up an account and have it verified before you can access the WSJ.  These steps can be done in just a few minutes.  Once your account is created, you can download the WSJ app to your phone, subscribe to specialized newsletters or search the contents of the newspaper.

Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal is known for its coverage of business news.  To create an account...

Step 1.  Go to https://education.wsj.com/search-students/ 

Step 2. Select "Buena Vista University" from the list of  academic partners.

Step 3. Create your account on the registration page.  You must use your BVU email address.  

Step 4. You'll receive a confirmation email from Dow Jones/WSJ

For future access, simply go to wsj.com and click on 'Sign In" button located in the upper right.

To search for articles published over the past four years, click on the magnifying glass in the upper left.

Other newspapers at BVU Library

The following newspapers are available in print at the BVU Library.  We usually have at least 6-8 weeks of past issues available.  Contact a librarian for help locating these papers.

  • Omaha World-Herald (Iowa edition)  runs about a week late.
  • Sioux City Journal (papers published on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday)
  • Des Moines Register (papers published Sunday - Friday)
  • Storm Lake Times Pilot (published Wednesday and Friday)