Best databases for controversial issues
Best websites for controversial issues
Statistical and data-oriented websites
Best Databases for Controversial Issues
| Opposing Viewpoints |
Usually the best starting point for finding sources on controversial issues, this is a one-stop resource for pro/con arguments on all of the day's hot topics; includes magazine & journal articles, essays from books and reference works, statistical tables, and websites. You can choose topics from an extensive "picklist" or enter your own search terms |
| SIRS Researcher |
Another database that emphasizes controversial social topics; a lengthy picklist of "leading issues" makes finding sources easy |
Academic Search Premier
Academic OneFile |
These large-scale, multi-discipline databases provide extensive coverage of all of the current hot topics; articles from thousands of scholarly journals, popular magazines, and newspapers |
| General Reference Center |
Strong coverage of the more popular and general interest magazines |
| Social Trends and Indicators USA |
In-depth statistics and analyses for all social issues, including work & leisure, family, education, health & sickness, crime & justice, etc.; a monumental work |
Best Websites for Controversial Issues
| Hot Paper Topics |
Listings of dozens of "hot topics" (like affirmative action, global warming, same-sex marriage, etc.) that will lead you to the best websites |
Issues and Causes
Political Issues |
These Yahoo Directories provide links to thousands of sites grouped under specific categories like cloning, pornography, drugs in sports, etc.; convenient for browsing |
| Brookings Institution: Research Topics |
A lengthy listing of broad topics like immigration, the mortgage market, immigration, etc. provides links to hundreds of authoritative Brookings-sponsored research studies; these are among the best studies available |
| Public Agenda Online |
High-quality issue guides and research studies from a non-partisan public interest center; all of the major areas like poverty, race, immigration, social security, etc. are covered |
| FactCheck.Org |
Monitors the factual accuracy of what is said by major political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews, and news releases |
| Best Websites for All Fields (Clemson Best Websites page) |
Excellent directory linking to authoritative websites in all fields; a good starting point for almost any Internet search |
Statistical and Data-Oriented Websites
In an argumentative paper or a persuasive speech, you will probably want to
back up your points with hard data; the following sites provide a convenient
way to find statistical, demographic, and polling data on almost any topic.
Note that for the most part this is data from official governmental agencies
and non-partisan research organizations, so that these are to be con-
sidered as primary (as opposed to secondary) research sources.
Statistics Health Statistics
Census/Demographic Data Public Opinion Polling Data
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