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Main Database Page       Alphabetical List of Databases 

Issues & Controversies:
Databases and Electronic Resources

Databases Websites Statistics

Best Databases for Issues and Controversies

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 Issues and Controversies

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, charter schools, etc.; provides links to hundreds of authoritative Brookings-sponsored research studies, which are among the best 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 considered as primary (as opposed to secondary) research sources.

I

Statistics          Health Statistics

Census/Demographic Data          Public Opinion Polling Data
Statistics  

Statistical Abstract of the United States

 International Statistics

Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970

 South Carolina Statistics
American FactFinder Statistical Abstract for the States

Statistical Resources on the Web

Economic Statistics Briefing Room

FedStats

Federal Statistics:

   Crime

   Demography

   Education

   Health

  

Health Statistics  

National Center for Health Statistics

 South Carolina Health Statistics

Health Facts by State

South Carolina Health and Demographic Statistics
International Health Statistics  
Census and Demographic Data  
American FactFinder World Population Information
The Census Bureau The Population Reference Bureau
Census Bureau PopClocks (U.S. & World) Web Resources in Demography
U.S. Historical Census Data: 1790-1970 South Carolina--Population Statistics
Public Opinion Polling  
Gallup Poll CBS News Polls
Roper Center for Public Opinion Pew Research Center for the People and the Press
Polling Report.com Public Agenda Online
       

 

 

 
 
 

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