We've carefully selected the following databases and websites for their depth, currency, accuracy, and commitment to excellence. Use them to
Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center
One-stop source for information on social issues. Includes articles, topic overviews, statistics, primary documents, links to websites, and full-text magazine and newspaper articles.
SIRS Knowledge Source
Full text articles and internet resources on social issues, science, history, government, the arts and humanities.
watch a demo (7:00 - required QuickTime)
CQ Researcher
The CQ Researcher explores a single "hot" issue in the news in depth each week. Topicsrange from social and teenissues to environment, health, education and science and technology.The CQ Researcher's hallmark is scrupulous objectivity and balance. Every 12,000-word report is written by an experienced journalist, and features comments from experts, lawmakers and citizens on all sides of every issue. Numerous charts, graphs and sidebar articles — plus a pro-con feature, a chronology, lengthy bibliographies and a list of contacts — round out each report. Updated daily.
Note: The CQ Researcher is not a free website. The library licenses this database with a paid subscription. A print counterpart is located in Reference.
EBSCO’s Newspaper Source
Provides selected full text for over 180 regional U.S. newspapers, international newspapers, newswires, newspaper columns and other sources as well as indexing and abstracts for national newspapers.
Public Agenda Online
This phenomenal resource provides extensive reports on public opinion research for 21 broad categories. The unbiased research bridges the gap between government policy and what the public really thinks about issues ranging from education to foreign policy to immigration to religion and civility in American life.
To get started, click on the "Issues Guides" button.
Pew Research Center
The Pew Research Center website can be a very useful tool in helping you select topics and learn background information for you topic. The site allows you to search for your issue or browse by topic. The Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan "fact tank" that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It does so by conducting public opinion polling and social science research; by reporting news and analyzing news coverage; and by holding forums and briefings. It does not take positions on policy issues.
IDEA Debatabase
An excellent resource for student debaters and topic selection. Inside you willfind arguments for and against hundreds of debating topics, written by expert debaters, judges and coaches. Also included are background summaries, links to websites of interest and recommended books, example motions and user comments.
Examples of recent topics include file-sharing, HIV compulsory disclosure to employers, banning negative political advertising, and international adoption.
Almanac of Policy Issues
Background information, archived documents, and links on major U.S. public policy issues. The website is divided into nine broad categories:
Each category includes a list of related sites, issues, articles, and organizations.
Thomas, Legislative Information on the Internet
The definitive and official site for federal legislation.
Search for proposed federal bills and public laws by keyword or number. Recently considered initiatives are highlighted on the top level page. You can also find how congressional members voted on bills. News releases, hearing schedules, transcripts, and oversight plans are included for both House and Senate Committees.
American Fact Finder
Published by the U.S. Census Bureau, this site helps you find current population, housing, economic, and geographic data in the United States. The website is comprehensive and easy to use.
Data topics and geographic area coverage available:
Results from each of these data programs are provided in the form of data sets, tables, thematic maps, and reference maps.
LookSmart's Find Articles
A vast archive of published articles that you can search for free. Constantly updated, it contains articles dating back to 1998 from more than 300 magazines and journals.
Data for Local Communities
This website gathers statistical, spatial, and descriptive information about the cities, counties and other civil, economic and natural regions of Oregon. The LocalData database lets you retrieve web-based information by topic and geography, while Additional Resources provides links to geospatial data and other organizational websites.
When searching for data on a topic, the most effective approaches are 1) "Search LocalData by Keyword", and 2) "Browse LocalData by Topic".
Topics include: Agriculture, Business, Crime, Education, Employment, Environment, Ethnic Populations, Government, Health, History and Culture, Housing, Industry and Technology, Information Management, Land Use and Development, Law, Military, Public Safety, Recreation and Tourism, Social and Family Issues, Taxes, Transportation, Utilities, Energy and Communication, and Vital Records.
Statistical Resources on the Web 
The Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
The Center is an independent opinion research group that studies attitudestoward the press, politics and public policy issues. They are known for regular national surveys that measure public attentiveness to major news stories, and for their polling that charts trends in values and fundamental political and social attitudes. You can find full survey reports and research studies in five principal areas:
Search for keywords in questionnaires or browse surveys by broad topic: business and economics, domestic and social policy, politics, global attitudes, and news media.
As of March 2005, The lastest attitude reports are entitled Global Opinion: The Spread of Anti-Americanism and A Year After Iraq War: Mistrust of America in Europe Ever Higher.
PollingReport.com
Polling Report labels itself as an independent, nonpartisan resource on trends in American public opinion. This site works best for topics currently in the news. When you select a topic, you'll find a collection of polls from newspapers and news media across the country.
