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Current & Controversial Issues
This guide lists sources of information to assist students in researching current and controversial issues. All of the sources listed can be found in the University at Buffalo's Arts & Sciences Libraries or on the World Wide Web.
Getting Started
The sources listed below are useful starting points for the research process. They are databases that provide encyclopedic information on the facts, events, and opposing arguments of current and controversial issues.
CQ Electronic Library
http://library.buffalo.edu/libraries/e-resources/cq.htmlOpposing Viewpoints Resource Center
http://library.buffalo.edu/libraries/e-resources/viewpoints.htmlNOTE: These databases are restricted to current UB students and staff. Current UB students and staff connecting off-network will be prompted for a user name and password.
Books
Finding Books in BISON (UB Libraries Catalog)
There are four basic ways of searching for books and other materials in BISON. One can search by author, title, keyword, or subject, each of which is demonstrated below. Each of these search methods are demonstrated below. For additional searching assistance, review the UB Libraries Web Catalog Help page, or consult with a reference librarian.
Sample AUTHOR search: rushdie, salman Sample TITLE search: opposing viewpoints Sample KEYWORD search: marijuana and controversy Sample SUBJECT search: whaling--japan
Book Series
The following titles are series dedicated to current and controversial issues. The books contained in these series are not shelved in any one location. Instead, they are shelved by their individual titles, according to the Library of Congress Classification System , which allows for easy browsing of the library collection. NOTE: To browse the books published in these series, search the UB Libraries Catalog by series title.
- At Issues Series
- Contemporary Issues Companion
- Current Controversies
- Opposing Viewpoints
- Opposing Viewpoints Digest
Articles
The periodical databases listed below are specific and general sources for finding refereed and popular literature on current and controversial issues. Students can use these databases to search through thousands of newspapers, magazines, and journals all at once, and to find articles that are specifically about their research topic. For additional searching assistance, review the ASL Finding Articles guide, or consult with a reference librarian.
Academic Search Premier
A multidisciplinary periodical database that provides coverage from over 8,200 scholarly, trade, and general-interest publications.Lexis-Nexis (Academic Universe)
Provides full-text articles and reports from more than 6,000 magazines, newspapers (including the New York Times), wire services, legal resources, reference books, and government publications from around the world.
NOTE: These databases are restricted to current UB students and staff. Current UB students and staff connecting off-network will be prompted for a user name and password.
Web Sites
For additional web searching assistance, review the Using Web Resources and Thinking Critically About Discipline-Based WWW Resources guides, or consult with a reference librarian.
- Homework Center Directory of information sources on controversial social issues.
- Hot Paper Topics Links to statistics, laws, court decisions, research, and other information on controversial topics.
- Yahoo! Issues and Causes Directory of controversial issue links.
- Nationalissues.com Non-partisan site that presents both sides of major national issues.
- Public Agenda Online Source for public opinion and policy analysis.
- YouDebate.com Source for pro and con debates on controversial issues.
