Researching Both Sides of an Issue

Print Sources

 

Databases

 

CQ Researcher: 

 

  "CQ Researcher is noted for its in-depth, unbiased coverage of health, social trends, criminal justice, international affairs, education, the environment, technology, and the economy.

 

     Reports are published weekly in print and online 44 times a year by CQ Press, a division of Congressional Quarterly Inc.

 

 

Each single-themed, 12,000-word report is researched and written by a seasoned journalist. The consistent, reader-friendly organization provides researchers with an introductory overview; background and chronology on the topic; an assessment of the current situation; tables and maps; pro/con statements from representatives of opposing positions; and bibliographies of key sources.

 

     CQ Researcher received the American Bar Association's 2002 Silver Gavel Award for a nine-part series on liberty and justice issues, as well as the prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Award for Journalism Excellence in 1999 for a ten-part series on health care. 

 

CQ Researcher Online is designed to provide multiple points of access to CQ Researcher reports. You may:

 

• Select from the current or recent reports on the Home page.

 

• Find your topic in the section titled "In the News," which highlights earlier reports on topics that are once again in the headlines.

 

• Search by keyword, with the Quick Search on the Home page or using a number of delimiters in the Advanced Search page.

 

• Browse by Topic, which is similar to using the index at the back of a book.

 

• Browse by Date of publication, accessing reports from 1991 to the present.

 

If you are considering what topic to research or make the subject of a report, see Find a Topic. "

 

source:  CQ Researcher database "About" and "Help" sections.  Accessed Feb. 10, 2008.

 

 

 

Issues & Controversies Database:  In-Depth Investigations of Today's Top Issues

 

Produced by Facts on File, this database covers current issues of the day and offers statistics, editorial cartoons, historical documents and more, all organized by topic.  Search by topic Check out the Special Features section, which contains:

 

1.  Bill of Rights in Debate:  The Bill of Rights, with links to issues covered in Issues & Controversies.  For example:

 

First Amendment

 

Are Army regulations that require soldiers to receive permission from a superior officer before posting any information on the Internet a necessary security measure, or an abridgement of freedom of speech? See Military Internet Security

 

 

Does the First Amendment give public school students the right to express themselves freely, without fear of punishment from school officials, except in rare, extreme cases? See Students' Free-Speech Rights

 

 

Does requiring public school students to wear uniforms violate their constitutional right of self-expression? See School Uniforms

 

2.  By the Numbers:  Statistics culled from Issues & Controversies Reports, listed alphabetically by topic.

 

3. Editorial Cartoons:  cartoons illustrating controversial issues.

 

4.  Groups to Contact:  website, e-mail and postal addresses for organizations related to the various issues covered.

 

5.  Illustrations:  Photos, Charts, Graphs, Maps

 

6.  Interviews with Experts:  Interviews with leaders on both sides of an issue.  For example:

 

 

•      Gun Control:
  • Nancy Hwa (Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, spokeswoman)
  • John Velleco (Gun Owners of America, director of federal affairs)
•  
• USA Patriot Act:
  • Michael Battle (director of the Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys)
  • Lisa Graves (senior counsel for legislative strategy with the ACLU

   

   

   

   7.  Selected Newspaper Editorials

   

  8.  Source Documents:  Historical Documents such as the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, & the Bill of Rights, and more current documents such as the No Child Left Behind Act, Supreme Court Decisions, Presidential Speeches, and more.

   

   

   See also General Databases.