|
Articles and Reports
Congressional Research Services Reports
Compiled by the Congressional Research Service, part of the Library of Congress, for distribution to members of Congress. Many are available online from a variety of organizations and universities, including National Council for Science and the Environment, Federation of American Scientists, U.S. Department of State Foreign Press Center, Thurgood Marshall Law Library/University of Maryland School of Law, University of North Texas. Search the index at Open CRS or ZFacts.com to locate.
Issue-oriented publications in the library include:
Pro-and-Con-Online (full text, 1998 to present)
Provides analysis of controversial topics, with essays exploring different perspectives on the issues provided by recognized experts. Includes Congressional Digest, Supreme Court Debates, and International Debates.
Congressional Digest - issues available in Periodicals
online index, 1981-present (NOT issue full text) at http://www.congressionaldigest.com/pcp/pubs/cd/cumindex.html
CQ Researcher - issues available in Periodicals
online index, 1991-present (NOT issue full text) at http://library.cqpress.com/researcher_index.pdf
Journal and Magazine Indexes (Articles):
PAIS International and PAIS Archive (1915 to present; citations & abstracts)
PAIS indexes articles, books, book chapters, conference proceedings, government documents, and various statistical indexes.
Academic Search Complete
OmniFile Full Text Mega (some full text; 1994 to present)
Articles from scholarly and popular sources in all disciplines. Select a subject area at the bottom of the search screen to get the most relevant results.
LexisNexis Congressional (dates vary, most 1990s to present; full-text)
LexisNexis Congressional contains a comprehensive index to U.S. legislation, including full-text of proposed legislation, legislative histories, bill tracking, and current member rosters for Congress. See Political News/Hot Topics section for additional items.
Newspapers
Newspapers are excellent sources for research on controversial topics, particularly for contemporary social and political issues. In addition to the timely articles, you can locate newspaper editorials and the columns
LexisNexis Academic (full text; dates vary, most 1980 to present)
Includes international, national, and regional newspapers, newswires, transcripts of news programs, and business and legal information.
Richmond Times-Dispatch (current issue only)
For earlier articles: Library has current 3 months in print and 1950 to 3 months ago on microfilm; 1995 to present available full text in LexisNexis Academic database
Factiva (full text; 1968 to present)
Covers global news and business information, including newswires, newspapers, magazines, and company reports.
Locating Federal, State, and Local Government Publications
USA.gov
This portal site to federal web materials and also will search state and local government websites. Government sources are considered to be ralatively bias-free, and numerous reports, white papers, articles, information sheets, and other information can be located.
Web Guides
The Internet Public Library: Social Issues and Social Welfare
Librarians' Internet Index: Society and Social Issues
Project Vote Smart
See the category "Issues and Organizations" under the "Issues and Legislation" tab on the main page to find advocacy groups' websites