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Issues of Justice & Injustice

What are some issues of justice and injustice? Who is involved? What are they about? Why are they important to us? This research guide lists library sources that can help you with your research. Also: 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!

If you are researching a topic related to Human Rights, take a look at that research guide, too.

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 issue of justice or injustice, 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:

  • quality of life, happiness, freedom, human rights, motivation, mobility
  • immigrants, workers, undocumented workers, day labor, migrant workers, immigration
  • united states, california, texas, san antonio, southwest, mexico
quality of life
and
 migrant workers
and
 united states
or
  
or
  
or
freedom
and
 immigr*
and
 texas
or
  
or
  
or
human rights
and
 day labor*
and
 mexico

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. (immigr* = immigrant, immigration 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 a section for Issues & Controversies, Science Today, World Almanac, and more.
GVRL

Gale Virtual Reference Library

All topics, general background info.

 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:

  • social justice
  • privacy, right of
  • civil rights--united states
  • library surveillance
  • electronic surveillance
  • patriot act
  • war on terrorism
  • health behavior
  • health--social aspects
  • public health--united states
  • democracy--middle east
  • middle east--foreign relations
  • iraq war
  • Trials (Witchcraft)
  • poverty
  • hunger
  • united states--emigration and immigration
  • immigrants
  • immigrants--united states
  • agricultural laborers
  • information society
  • globalization--political aspects
  • globalization--social aspects
  • animal welfare
  • factory farms
  • vegetarianism
  • capital punishment--united states

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