As you begin any research process, the best way to get started is simply TO READ!
Starting with your Assignment
Before you begin looking for information, you should make sure you understand your assignment. If you don't understand the assignment, there is only one person that can best answer any questions - the professor that created the assignment. Let the assignment drive what types of resources you choose to explore. Sometimes, your professor will tell you exactly which types to use, but other times, you will need to look at the assignment and figure that out on your own as part of the research process.
General Background Reading
The Internet is a great place to begin to explore a topic as you begin your research. There are also some resources in the Library Databases that may be helpful for some general, background reading:
Gale eBooks -- a collection of subject-specific encyclopedias and other reference works
CQ Researcher -- a report published each week about current issues in the news
Opposing Viewpoints -- links to book chapters, articles, etc. on a variety of topics
Generate a list of Key Words and Phrases
As you doing your background reading, jot down words and phrases that are related to your topic and that you may be able to use a search terms when you start doing your research.
Develop a Research Question
After you have done some background reading, decided what your research topic is going to be, and generated some key words and phrases about your topic, take a moment to write down a question that you hope to answer through your research. This will help you to focus your research, select relevant information sources, and begin to determine how the argument in your speech will take shape.