This page shows how you might approach researching a topic for an EPQ. We are using the England/London Riots of 2011 as our topic.
See below different resources that could be used to research this topic, and some specific examples of each type of resource:
You can use this as a model for planning your own research for your topic.
Search (university, public, school and other) Library catalogues to find books about riots and rioting in general, as well as books specifically about the England/London Riots of Summer 2011.
Widen the search by looking for previous incidents of riots in London or in other areas, the psychology of riots and looting, theories on the topic, as well as the sociological and historical explanations.
Reading the Riot Act by 
Out of the Ashes by Blogs and comment pieces can offer points-of-view and opinions on a topic.
Read these critically, and judge whether these sources make valid points about the topic, and offer good evidence to support their opinion.
Statistics about the riots would provide factual data on aspects of the topic.
Official sources such as the police and UK government are a good starting point, as well as reliable news-based sources such the BBC.
Other media, such as podcasts, radio shows and documentaries might be good sources of opinion and reaction to the riots, particularly from first-hand witnesses and/or experts/specialists being interviewed.
Search sources such as the Apple/iTunes podcast app, or other media broadcasters to see what I can find.
Journals will be harder to access than other sources of information, although some will be available from school and public libraries. University libraries are the main source of journals, so make good use of any opportunities to use their resources.
Journals in particular provide access to well researched and evidenced, peer reviewed articles, written by academics and experts on very focussed, specific topics.
Magazines are more readily available from school and public libraries and will offer insight, comment and shorter articles which are often less rigorously researched. Many magazines also have online versions, which can be found by searching the Internet.
Journal articles:
Magazines:
Find out how the riots were reported at the time to discover what happened and reactions from the public, important public figures such as the Prime Minister, politicians, community leaders and the police etc. Remember that these sources will probably be biased i.e. written from a particular political perspective.
To do this look at major news websites such as the BBC, Daily Mail, Daily Mirror, Guardian etc.
It would be useful to find out what public figures at the time were saying about the riots as they happened, such as the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, local MPs, community leaders and social commentators etc.
Search the Internet for this information using keywords and names of specific people that you have found in your research or look at their personal social media profiles e.g. Twitter, Facebook, Blogs etc.