I’d recommend you start by defining your research keywords clearly — that alone saves hours of aimless browsing. Then hit the university’s library portal first — this is where you get access to JSTOR, ScienceDirect, Sage, and dozens of other subscription databases without paying anything out of pocket. Also, if your topic crosses disciplines, look at databases you wouldn’t normally think of — for instance, education research databases often have relevant theory articles even for unrelated fields.
Mississippi State’s Mitchell Memorial Library also offers research guides for different subjects — these are curated by librarians and often list high-impact journals, books, and datasets tailored to your class. I’d even set a calendar reminder to book a short session with a librarian before technical deadlines — trust me, it’s worth it.
Lastly, if your topic involves statistics, check out government sources like Data.gov or BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics). They’re free and super credible.