Harry Cook
English 102 - 052
There are many resources through the library and the Internet to do your
research on controversial issues. Here are just a few suggestions:
Books: Top
Most of the books on Social Issues are in the H section of the library. Do
a subject search using the
CCBC
Dundalk Library Catalog to find books on your topic. Use the index
or table of contents in the books to narrow your search. (Hint- Start with
a subject search on your topic,ex:cloning, "genetic engineering" . If you
can't find anything on your topic, try a keyword search ex: genetic
engineering and environment.)
Books and Reference Material:
CQ
Researcher
Ref HN 52.B3
Opposing
Viewpoints Series
Magazine, Journals, & Newspapers: Top
Use the Magazine, Journals, & Newspapers in the Periodical
Databases, to find focused articles on your topic.
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Go to the Periodical page to find out
information on magazine, Journal and newspaper.
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To access these databases from home or office please go to a list of
the databases on the web page (ex:
All the Databases page) and click on database or follow the
instructions for off-campus
access.
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For magazine and journal articles try the General
Interest Periodical Databases such as: SIRS, Proquest
Direct , Academic Search Elite in EBSCO, and databases
online at the public libraries.
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Proquest - Topic Finder Besides doing a regular search in
Proquest, you can use the Topic Finder at the top of the page to find
social issues. (General Research Database must be checked off.)
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Click on Topic Finder at top of page then Click on
Social Issues & Policy
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then Click on Social Policy
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Click on Social Issues & find articles on different social
issues
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or Click on Activism
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Click on Social Activism & find articles on different issues.
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Click on
Databases by Subject to find periodical articles on different
subject areas.
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Search Tips for Databases - Remember to try
different search words to find information. Use your particular topic
or use broad terms (Example: cloning, "genetic engineering" to look
for topics.)
Research Tips :Top
How to Do Research - helpful link on research
How
to Write a Research Paper - From OCLC Hot Topics - June 5, 2002
Citing
Sources -Make sure you use the correct citation for your research
material.
MLA
Style from University of British Columbia Library
Plagiarism - Make sure you do not
plagiarize
Web Resources: Top
Use Evaluative Web Guides, such as Librarian's
Index to the Internet,and Subject Directories
to find web sites on your topic. They will give you links to more
specific information.
Use
Search Engines , such as
Google
or
Meta Search Engines, such as
Vivismo
to focus your search for web sites. To get better results connect your
terms with the Boolean term
"and"(ex:cloning and ethics,)
or put
quotes around a phrase (ex:"genetic engineering".)
Performing
Precise Searches on web searching
Evaluate: Evaluate your
material for its relevance and authenticity. See
evaluation
criteria for web sites.
Suggested Web Sites: Top
Many
of these sites were from the Librarians' Index to the Internet
General Social Issues Sites: *denote better sites
Librarians' Index to the
Internet - Links to Society and Social Issues from the Library of
California
*Public Agenda Online -
http://www.publicagenda.org/ Subtitled "the journalist's inside source for
public opinion and policy analysis," this site addresses many
controversial issues: abortion, America's global role, crime, the economy,
education, the government, the family, the federal budget, gambling,
health care, illegal drugs, immigration, Internet speech / privacy,
Medicare, race, right to die, social security, and welfare. Extensive
information on each issue includes an overview, facts and trends,
different perspectives, links to news stories, and results of public
opinion polls.
*Social
Issues - http://www.multnomah.lib.or.us/lib/homework/sochc.html A
part of the Multnomah County Library Homework Center, this webliography
was created for "middle and high school students researching current
social issues from multiple perspectives." The three dozen highly
relevant topics include: abortion; affirmative action; AIDS; animal
rights; capital punishment; censorship; child labor; children's rights;
civil rights; creation science vs. evolution; drugs and drug abuse;
drunk driving; euthanasia & assisted suicide; famine; flag burning;
gangs; gender issues; genetic engineering; global warming; homelessness;
homosexuality; immigration; national debate topic; organ & body
donation; prayer in schools; sweatshops; violence in schools; welfare;
and world population.
National Issues.com
http://nationalissues.com/ This nonpartisan Web site promises "no spin"
on the current issues it summarizes. Materials of national importance
are gathered from think tanks, news sources, advocacy groups, and policy
analysts and presented in summary form with links to sources for more
information. Both sides are presented on such topics as educational
issues (vouchers, charter and magnet schools, teacher accountability),
gun control, privatization of social security, taxes (flat, inheritance,
sales), foreign policy, and defense.
University
of Amsterdam links to Sociological Subject areas
Links to the News -
http://poynter.org/dj/shedden/ Resources for researching current topics
in the news. Excellent Web site from the Poynter Institute for Media
Studies. If it's a current news topic, they've likely pulled together a
good list of links to it. Their collection of topics goes back to
January, 1995.
Sociological Tour
Through Cyberspace - http://www.trinity.edu/~mkearl/index.html An
excellent site. Starts with a list of General Sociological
Resources,Guide to Writing a Research Paper and then gets to the heart
of the original work of this resource -
Exercising the Imagination: Subject-based Inquiries.
A sociology professor, the author of these hypertext essays covers a
wide range: including death and dying, family, gerontology, gender &
equality, race & ethnicity, social inequality, and social psychology
Social Issues - Public Opinion & Information
ZNet & ZNet
Resource by Topic - http://www.lbbs.org/ (Click on Resources or
Watch Areas at top of page)ZNet is a resource created by "a
community of people concerned about social change." The Top Page
contains links to all the far reaches of the Web site. There are too
many categories to list, but they include worldwide political concerns,
environmental issues, and human rights. The site has a very progressive,
activist tone and encourages people to get involved. It has over 15,000
articles (many from Z Magazine) by leading intellectuals and concerned
citizens and a sophisticated search engine.
Common Cause Common Cause is a
lobbying organization whose main goal is to make "our government more
accountable to its citizens." It does not support any of the political
parties, but works for government reform. Its "grassroots activists
lobby lawmakers on pending legislation, write letters to the editor and
op-ed pieces for their local newspapers," about various issues. The site
provides full text of their studies, reports, and releases on their
legislative battles. The site index provides an easy way to browse the
subjects. Searchable
Network for Good (Click
on Connect with a cause on left )This site offers the public online
tools and resources for donating, volunteering, speaking out on current
issues, and responding quickly to crises. Tools include databases of
volunteer opportunities, media and elected official contacts by zip
code, and actions arranged by cause. The collective effort of commercial
and nonprofit groups to foster the "informed use of the Internet for
civic participation and philanthropy." Searchable.
The Pew Charitable Trusts (
Click on Investing in ideas on left - includes some videos)This
research, polling, and public policy organization investigates issues in
"culture, education, the environment, health and human services, public
policy and religion addressing critical issues and effecting social
change." Click What Americans Think to gain access to recent poll
results and analyses. Searchable. http://www.pewtrusts.com/
Speak Out .com. - ( Click on
Activism Center on left) Politics , activism and political issues
The Gallup Organization (Click
on In depth analysis on left ) Established in 1935 by Dr. George H.
Gallup (1901-1984), the Gallup Organization is best known for its public
opinion polls, which provide "measurement and analysis of people's
attitudes, opinions, and behavior." This searchable site provides a
full-text poll archive on various topics. Click on Newsflash for a daily
update on politics, business, and social issues in the latest
polls.(Free subscription)
Subject Directory Links to Social Issues
Internet
Public Library Social Issues - links to social issues, society and
social organizations from the Internet
Public Library.
*OCLC Net
First Hot Topics - Not updated since 10/02- Need to copy and paste
web address in Wayback Machine
www.archive.org/
Infomine links to Sociology(click
on Social Sciences then browse or do search)
on social issues and it
links to different social issue web sites
Google Society
Issues - links to issues in society. Web Sites are not evaluated but
are put in a useful category.
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