Read a few articles or websites on your topic. This helps you understand your topic more fully, and gives you ideas for search terms you can use. I recommend starting with resources like OneSearch, Google, and encyclopedias.
Search your topic in OneSearch and definitely read the START YOUR RESEARCH encyclopedia entry
Do a quick search in Google. Switch to News to read the most recent headlines on your topic. Gather basic information from a Wikipedia article. Look for search results from reliable sources, like the government:
You can even skim a Wikipedia article for ideas. Just do not use Wikipedia as a source!!
Take a look at the Contents section. This can give you ideas for which direction you want to take your own research.
Also skim over the References or External links section to find other, more credible, sources.
These e-books provide quick introductions to criminal justice topics:
Opposing Viewpoints in Context is a full-text resource covering today's hottest social issues, from Terrorism to Endangered Species, Stem Cell Research to Gun Control.
Drawing on acclaimed series published by Greenhaven Press and other Thomson Gale imprints, Opposing Viewpoints in Context brings together all the information that's needed to fully understand an issue: pro and con viewpoint articles, reference articles that provide context, full-text magazines, academic journals, and newspapers, primary source documents, government and organizational statistics, multimedia, including images and podcasts, links to hand-selected web sites, and more.