CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES November 23, 2008
Posted by Ms. Klemundt in Help with Assignments, Web Resources.trackback
Students in English II classes, here are some suggestions about how to begin your search. Don’t hesitate to talk with Res library staff if you need more help finding resources.
Background Reading
Before you start marshalling your arguments, take the time to do some background reading on your topic. Look for a balanced overview that will give you a sense of the key issues and points of debate as well as some history on the topic. One of the most important reasons to do background reading is to help you find subject terms, names, and keywords that you can use when searching for further resources on your topic.
Some places to look for overviews: books (they will often use the term “overview” or “history” in the title or subtitle), any of the databases listed below, a general encyclopedia (depending on your topic), general news magazines like Time or Newsweek.
Evidence to Support Your Argument
There are different types of evidence that might support your argument:
- “facts” about your topic: for example, a description of the various methods of contraception
- statistics: demographic information (for example, the number of teens murdered by handguns in the U.S. each year), public opinion surveys (for example, the number of people who favor the death penalty), usage (for example, the number of 13-year-olds who admit having tried marijuana)
- research studies : for example, a study showing that breaking large high schools into smaller units reduces the dropout rate
- anecdotal evidence: this is usually one or more stories that highlight a specific individual or place but illustrate the larger issue or topic (for example, the story of an illegal immigrant who cannot get healthcare for her children)
Think about what kind of evidence will best support the various points you are raising. If you are having trouble finding sources for evidence, see the Res Library staff.
Citation Information
Collect the citation information for your bibliography as you do your research.
- Check your Writing Stylus and get an idea of the different information you will need for each type of resource: book, print article, article from an online database, website, video, etc.
- Several of the subscription databases have a feature that helps you format your citation for the article you are viewing.
- Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University is an excellent resource to consult (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/)
Books
Some series that present articles on various controversial topics are:
- Opposing Viewpoints
- Taking Sides
- Current Controversies
- Issues in Focus
- Social Issues Firsthand
- Issues on Trial
- Pro/Con
- The History of Issues
Most public libraries will have at least some of these. You can get others through InterLibrary Loan.
Use a library catalog to find books on your topic. Use the bibliographies in books and articles to find more resources. Use the call number of a good book to browse the shelves for more books.
In the Res library, books in the Opposing Viewpoints series can be found in REF 002 OPP and books in the Issues in Focus series can be found in REF 001 ISS. Also search the Res Library catalog.
Res Library Subscription Databases (See the blue sheets for user IDs and passwords)
- Reader’s Guide Full Text Select. This is a database of articles published in magazines. Once you login, click on the checkbox next to “Reader’s Guide.”
- Current Issues : Reference Shelf Plus. A database of full-text articles from key publications covering a variety of current social, scientific, health, political, and global issues. The editor-selected resources are designed to provide a well-rounded overview of the topic. Once you login, click on the checkbox next to “Current Issues: Ref Shelf Plus.”
- FACTS.com Issues & Controversies. A great resource for controversial issues as well as tracking current events. There are quick links to “Issues in the Headlines” on the right side of the main page.
- FACTS.com Today’s Science. Useful for science-related research as well as controversial topics related to science, medicine, and technology.
- CQ Researcher. Provides in-depth coverage of political and social issues, with regular reports on topics in health, international affairs, education, the environment, technology, and the U.S. economy. Once you login, choose “CQ Researcher Online.” The Pro/Con link on the left-side menu provides a list of topics to browse.
- Current Issues in Health. Offers specially selected resources on health topics. You can use the Search Box or drill down through a particular topic. Search results can be full-text or just the article citation. Once you login, click on the checkbox next to “Current Issues: Health.”
- Britannica Online. This online encyclopedia provides basic, introductory information and can be a good place for an overview of your topic.
- EBSCO Science Reference Center. Once you login, click on “EBSCOhost Research Databases” to get to the Science Reference Center. It includes chapters from books, reports, and articles from journals and magazines.
- FirstSearch is really a number of databases under one umbrella. You can search up to 3 databases at one time. Three general databases are WilsonSelectPlus, ArticleFirst, and ECO. Depending on your topic, you might want to also search MEDLINE (for health and medicine topics) and ERIC (for education-related topics). Once you login, click on the List All Databases link. To select a database to search, click in the checkbox to the left of the database name. Once you have selected your databases, click the Select button. Click on the Advanced Search link; this will give you more control of your search and better results. Click on the title of an article to get more information about that article; most article citations have at least an abstract or summary to help you get an idea of what the full article is about. Some articles have a link for View Full Text in HTML format and/or View Full Text in PDF format. You can click on those links and get the full text of the article. If you have an option, choose PDF. Some articles in your Results list will only have a link that says See more details for locating this item. If you think the article will be useful to you, print out the citation and bring it to the library and we will request a copy of the article from another library.
Web Resources
If you use web sites, you must absolutely know who the author is!
- Start with the Librarians’ Internet Index (http://www.lii.org)
- The Christian Science Monitor (http://www.csmonitor.com) is a newspaper with an excellent website. Use the Search box to find articles on a variety of topics.
- The Public Library of Law (http://www.plol.org) provides free access to selected U.S. legal materials. See your handout or library staff for the correct username and password.
- The Multnomah County Library Homework Center Social Issues page (http://www.multcolib.org/homework/sochc.html) has a good set of links on a variety of issues, but be warned that not all links are active.
- Hot Topics from the University of Louisville (http://library.louisville.edu/government/news/otherlinks/otherlinks.html) The links tend to be from government sources or centered on policy and legislation.
- FRONTLINE from PBS (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/) produces excellent television news documentaries on timely and controversial topics. Many of these programs are available on VHS or DVD through your local public library.
- The Internet Public Library Social Issues and Social Welfare Subject Guide (http://www.ipl.org/div/subject/browse/soc80.00.00) provides links to online resources in a number of categories.
- Browse the Res Library Web Resources page (http://www.reshs.org/snav/165/page.htm) for other good sites.
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