Use the Library Catalog to locate books, eBooks, audio-visual items and periodicals on your topic.
 

FINDING JOURNAL ARTICLES USING ONLINE DATABASES

From the Library Website, choose Article Databases from the Find box; then, choose Subject List; then, choose Social Issues & Opinions. If you are accessing the databases from home, use the barcode number on the back of your college ID to log in.

Academic Search Complete
Provides articles, often full-text, from journals, magazines, newspapers. Articles can be printed, downloaded, or e-mailed.

CQ Researcher
Provides in-depth articles on a wide variety of current topics. Articles include pro and con viewpoints, background information, chronology, statistics, and references.

Issues & Controversies
Provides in-depth articles on a variety of current topics. Articles include an overview of the topic, discussing both sides, references, key words and points.

Opposing Viewpoints
Provides articles, either pro or con, on a variety of current topics. Also provides a list of topics.

Nespaper Source
Selected full-text from 30 US national and international newspapers and 200 regional papers, plus TV & radio news transcript

SEARCH THE INTERNET

The Big Issues (list of controversial debate topics by Debate.org)
http://www.debate.org/big-issues/

Digital Librarian: a librarian’s choice of the best of the Web
http://www.digital-librarian.com/

Project Vote Smart (links to various Issue Organizations)
http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_group.php

Congressional Research Service [CRS] Reports
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/index.html

FINDING A TOPIC

99 Jumpstarts to Research: Topic Guides for Finding Information on Current Isuues - ZA 3050 .W47 2010
For each of the 99 discussed topics, this book provides a discussion on how to refine and narrow the topic, lists of keywords to use in your search, and lists of recommended books and videos, as well as suggestions of the best databases and web sites to use to research that topic. Also included is a discussion on the best search engines to use and tips on searching the internet.

 

Social Issues in America: an Encyclopedia – HN57 .S624 2006 v1-8
At the front of each volume is a Topic Finder containing a list of contemporary social issues divided into groups (Civil Rights, Education, Environment, Media Issues, etc.). Each of the listed contemporary issues
is discussed within the 8 volumes. Entries include References and suggested web sites for further study of the topic. Also, the Cross Reference Index will aid in narrowing or broadening your topic.

 

Databases
Several online databases (mentioned below) have good topic lists. 

CQ Researcher: Offers a list of Hot Topics
 

Issues & Controversies: See the list of Issues in the Headlines or click on Need a Research Topic? located in the box at the lower right-hand corner of the home screen

Opposing Viewpoints: Click on Browse Issues

 

 

 

 

Periodicals
Browse recent issues of newspapers, such as The Houston Chronicle or USA Today, and popular magazines, such as Time or Newsweek, is a great way to find ideas.
Note: Find current issues of these periodicals on the first floor of the library.

 

 

 

Series of Books for Social Issues
Within the library collection are several series of books which contain subject overviews (sometimes presenting pro/con viewpoints), chronologies, documents, and references. Searching the catalog for a list of the titles within these series will provide you with some ideas. Once you have chosen a topic, these books are wonderful sources of information. Use the Series Keyword menu and type in the title of the series (listed below).

At Issue
Opposing Viewpoints
Contemporary World Issues
Current Controversies
Taking Sides