Periodical and Newspaper articles

• Congressional Digest Each issue is devoted to one topic with pro/con opinions from congressional members. (VB, PO, CH campuses) Indexed: Academic Search Complete and an annual cumulative index in the December issue.

• CQ Researcher Each issue focuses on a specific topic presenting alternative views and a bibliography. Indexed: Academic Search Complete and an annual cumulative index in the bound volume. This title is also available on our shelves.

• Issues and Controversies on File Articles provide the history or development of an issue, a current overview, varying opinions, a prediction of future developments, and a short bibliography. Self-indexed. Annual cumulative index in bound volume (VB Campus). This title is also available on our shelves.

• Opposing Viewpoints Access viewpoint articles, topic overviews, statistics, primary documents, links to web sites, and full-text magazine and newspaper articles. Examples: Adoption, America's prisons, Censorship, Death penalty, Euthanasia. This title is also available on our shelves.

• Gale Virtual Reference Library (r)

• Contemporary World Issues (call numbers vary) Each book deals with a single topic and contains a chronology, biographies, relevant statistics, a directory of organizations and a bibliography. Not in a pro/con format, but an excellent source of information on controversial topics. Examples: Animal rights, Homelessness, Gambling, Gay and Lesbian Rights, Ozone, Rape, Sports Ethics.

• Current Controversies (call numbers vary) Excerpts from articles, newspapers and books are used to present authoritative opinions on issues of national and international interest in a pro/con format. A short bibliography and a list of organizations are included. Examples: AIDS, Alcoholism, Drug Trafficking, Energy, Free Speech, Gun Control, Hate Crimes, Pollution, Sexual Harassment, Women in the Military, Violence Against Women.

• Opposing Viewpoints (call numbers vary) Each title explores many aspects of a broad issue using expert opinions from contemporary and historical authors in a pro/con format. Contains bibliographies, list of relevant organizations, glossaries, cartoons and chronologies. Examples: Adoption, America's prisons, Censorship, Death penalty, Euthanasia.

• Reference Shelf (call numbers vary) Each book excerpts or reprints important articles on a contemporary social issue. Included are background information, discussions from various points of view, and a bibliography. Examples: Banking, Greenhouse Effect, English-Official Language, Cults, Suicide, United Nations. 

• Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues (call numbers vary) Adjacent pro and con arguments excerpted from journal articles and books are written by experts and focus on diverse topics surrounding a broad issue area. Examples: Israel, Bioethical Issues, American History, Mass Media, Race and Ethnicity, Psychological Issues.

Internet resources: 

• Public Agenda Online Public debates on hot topics offering various views, pro and con.

• Hot Topics Supersites a directory of resources for controversial topics of current interest.

• ProCon.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation whose purpose is to inform the public about controversial issues using facts, news, and hundreds of diverse opinions in a pro-con format.

• Documents in the News: Current Events Research identifies issues about government making news headlines and web sources with additional information.

• Social Issues and Social Welfare a list of  subject links from the Internet Public Library(IPL)

• Tolerance.org -Tolerance.org is a principal online destination for people interested in dismantling bigotry and creating, in hate's stead, communities that value diversity.

• Human Rights and Social Justice Organizationsa a link of  organizations from the Behaviorists for Social Responsibility

Our favorite databases for general information.

Controversial Topics Handout

What do the numbers say? Use our public opinion subject guide.