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Controversial Issues / Cause & Effect

Cause and effect. Controversial issues. Persuasive essay topics. Why are these topics important to us? Who is involved? How do I create a flexible search strategy? What resources are available? This research guide can help you with your research. Also: here's a Search Sheet (Word doc) to help you keep track of your research.

Have fun with your search, and let me know if you have questions or need help at any time!

I. Define Topic II. Devise Strategy III. Search: Reference, Books, Articles, Web IV. Evaluate & Cite

I. Define Topic - reference sources in section III. below can help you with this part!

What topic are you researching?

List what you know about your topic -- who, what, when, where, why, and how:

What would you like to find out about your topic? What questions do you have? What are your learning issues?

 

II. Devise Strategy - create a flexible search plan, list key words/names

If you're researching a particular topic, such as "negative political ads affect voter turnout" or "negative political ads should be banned from media" then you need to list as many synonyms and related key words as possible. Use the list of words to create multiple combinations with the word AND in order to have a successful search:

  • negative, attack, mudslinging, opponent, opposition, partisan
  • political ads, political advertising, politics, campaigns
  • voter turnout, polls, voters, electorate
political ads
and
 negative
and
 voter turnout
or
  
or
  
or
political advertising
and
 opponent
and
 vot*
or
  
or
  
or
campaign ad*
and
 attack
and
 electorate

So...what's the difference between KEYWORD v. SUBJECT searching?

  • Keyword search = to combine key words or for more specific search; finds items that contain your keywords
  • Subject search = for broad search or when you know terminology; finds items that are about that topic

TIPS:

  • Use symbols such as the * at the end of key words to pick up alternate endings. (vot* = vote, votes, voter, etc.)
  • Use keyword and subject searching together: start with a keyword search, find an item that's relevant, then look for subject headings within item descriptions and work those subject words into your search strategy.

I. Define Topic II. Devise Strategy III. Search: Reference, Books, Articles, Web IV. Evaluate & Cite

III. Search Sources

A. REFERENCE sources - Looking for background information or facts?

Online databases require a login from off-campus.You can get login info HERE. (What does the login page look like?)


Online databases Screen captures - clickable!
CQ Researcher

Provides in-depth reports on social and political issues!
CQ

Opposing Viewpoints

Access a variety of sources: viewpoints, reference, articles on a wide range of controversial issues.

Search by broad subject, specific keyword, or look in the entire document for your words.
OV
Facts.com

Contains sections for Issues & Controversies, Science Today, World News.
GVRL

I. Define Topic II. Devise Strategy III. Search: Reference, Books, Articles, Web IV. Evaluate & Cite

B. BOOKS, VIDEOS, other items - Looking for in-depth information?

  • QuickSearch Books & Media (Catalog)

    By:     Search for:
  • Remember the old timey Card Catalog? There were 3 ways you could search it: Author, Title, SUBJECT
  • With the online Catalog, start with a Keyword, then look for Subject headings.

A few Subject headings (just copy & paste into box!) you can use to search By Subject:

  • Advertising, Political
  • Advertising, Political--United States
  • Political campaigns--United States
  • Negativism
eBook


I. Define Topic II. Devise Strategy III. Search: Reference, Books, Articles, Web IV. Evaluate & Cite

C. ARTICLES - Looking for current information or need to highlight a specific issue?

Online databases require a login from off-campus.You can get login info HERE. (What does the login page look like?)

NOTE: If the full-text of the article isn't available online use the Journal Locator. Just type in the periodical title to see if SAC Library owns a paper copy or if another database offers full-text.


I. Define Topic II. Devise Strategy III. Search: Reference, Books, Articles, Web IV. Evaluate & Cite

D. FREE WEB SITES


IV. Evaluate and Cite your sources

Research Process

San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78212-4299 Phone: 210/733-2000, Technology Hotline: 785-6031
One of the Alamo Community Colleges. The Alamo Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
For special accommodations or an alternate format, contact the San Antonio College disABILITY Support Services at 733-2347