Library Guides: Social Problems: Find Background/Overview Info.

Background/Overview

The links on the right will provide you with information on the social problem that you choose to cover. These sources are meant to be a starting point for your research and should give you ideas for a narrower aspect in a particular social problem as well as keywords to use when searching for articles.

Background/Overview Sources

CQ Researcher
Provides in-depth weekly reports on current and controversial issues. Keep in mind this site covers broad issues so it is best to use broad terms when searching (i.e. obesity, "health care", etc.). A CQ Researcher report provides an overview of a topic as well as statistics, a pro/con discussion, and many references for further research.
Date Coverage: 1991-date

Maximum Users: Unlimited

Truncation:
Truncation: *; Wildcard: ?

Search Guide: http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/static.php?page=faq

PublicAgenda.org
Publicagenda.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization. Like CQ Researcher, it provides detailed reports on social issues and US domestic policy.
After clicking the link just look for the tab that says "Our Library" and then "Discussion Starters."

Gale Virtual Reference Library
A database of encyclopedias, almanacs, and specialized reference sources for multidisciplinary research.
Can be linked to Google or Microsoft account to quickly save entries.
Date Coverage: Varies
Maximum Users: Unlimited
Truncation: Truncation: *; Wildcard:?

Oxford Reference
Searchable database of over 100 reference works covering history, literature, art, religion, philosophy, law, science and many other areas.
more...less...
Date Coverage: Varies

Maximum Users: 2-5

Truncation:
Automatic
Social Trends and Indicators
Social Trends and Indicators is an individual e-book within Gale Virtual Reference Library. Search within this publication for statistics on social issues.
Pro.Con.org
Pros and cons of controversial issues

Social Problems: Find Background/Overview Info.

Background/Overview

Background/Overview Sources

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