Researching Current Issues at the Valley Library

General Tips

Look for books to provide background. Sometimes it helps to think of the broader issue that underlies the current "hot topic". For example, if you're interested in sharing music files on the web, the underlying issues have to do with copyright and intellectual property rights. Check our online catalog, Oasis, for books. http://oasis.oregonstate.edu/

Look for articles in journals for scholarly information. As with books, you may need to put the current issue in a broader context to find relevant information.

Look for articles in magazines and newspapers for current views.

If you need help to begin searching for information about a current topic, see our guide for "Finding Information on Any Subject" at: http://osulibrary.oregonstate.edu/research/srg/anysub.htm or ask a Reference Librarian for assistance.

If you would like a little more help on getting started with the research process, our online tutorial provides additional information: http://osulibrary.orst.edu/instruction/tutorials/

Print Resources

CQ Researcher call # H35 .E35
Weekly issues in the journal display area on the 5th floor; 5 most recent annual cumulations are in Reference
Each weekly publication addresses a different topic of current and widespread interest. Each issue provides an overview of the topic, a chronology of events, statistical tables and charts, a summary of current developments, and a "pro and con" discussion by experts on different sides of the issue. Especially useful are its bibliographies and lists of organizations that can be contacted for further information. (Herron, p.16, 1996) See also CQ Weekly at call # JK1 .C2
unbound issues in Reference; bound volumes on 5th floor

Facts on File World News Digest call # AP2 .F2
Latest 2 editions in Reference; earlier editions circulate for 1 day
A summary of newsworthy items as reported in more than 70 foreign and U.S. magazines, newspapers, government publications, and new releases.

Statistical Abstract of the United States call # HA202 (1939-current)
Latest edition in Reference; earlier editions circulate for 1 day
This is the standard summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States. It reproduces tables drawn from publications of the federal government and some nongovernmental organizations. Arrangement is by broad subject. (Herron, p.34, 1996 ) The index is extensive and gives pertinent Table numbers. Although this is also available on the web (http://www.census.gov/statab/www/), it is much easier to see and use in print.

St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture 5 v. Ref: E169.1 .S764 2000
Offers 2,700 articles on all aspects of 20th-century US popular culture. The articles are signed, generally authoritative and even in quality, are written primarily by college faculty and graduate students in a clear and lively style easily accessible to undergraduates, and range in length from 75 to 3,000 words. Some article bibliographies are outdated or fail to cite the best research. Seven categories are covered: social life, music, print culture, film, TV and radio, sports, and art and performance. (annotation from Choice Reviews Online: www.choicereviews.org)

Encyclopedia of Sociology 5 v. Ref: HM425 .E5 2000
Articles on topics as diverse as affirmative action and mate selection theories have been revised to include material through the late 1990s. Comprehensive bibliographies. Suited to upper-division undergraduates. (Choice Reviews Online, op.cit.)

Encyclopedia of Violence, Peace & Conflict 3 v. Ref: HM886 .E53 1999
Well-written and well-researched articles, excellent cross-references, and a good index. The articles range widely (e.g., the impact of television on children, alliance behavior, the concept of evil, violence toward homosexuals) and because of the contributors' varied backgrounds, are variously based in anthropology, sociology, ethics, politics, and psychology, to mention a few. Articles include bibliographies and glossaries where necessary and emphasize theory. (Choice Reviews Online, op.cit.)

World almanac and book of facts AY67 .N5 W7
Latest in Reference; earlier editions on 6th floor
In addition to statistics and facts on economic, social, political, religious, financial, industrial, medical and other topics, it also includes the year's top 10 new stories, the year in photographs, a chronology of the year by month, decisions of the Supreme Court, sports events, quotes of the year, scientific achievements and discoveries and news of 100 years ago. (Herron, p.28, 1996)

10,000 ideas for term papers, projects, reports, and speeches : intriguing, original research topics for every student's need by Kathryn Lamm. LB1047.3 .L35 1998
at the Reference Desk

Subject Specific Resources

Routledge international encyclopedia of women : global women's issues and knowledge. 4 v. Ref: HQ1115 .R69 2000

Encyclopedia of animal rights and animal welfare. Ref: HV4708 .E53 1998

Encyclopedia of environmental issues. 3 v. Ref: GE10 .E52 2000

Online Resources

Congressional Research Service (CRS): http://digital.library.unt.edu/govdocs/crs/
Reports on a large number of current topics have been collected on this page at the University of North Texas.

Social Issues: http://www.multcolib.org/homework/sochc.html
Created by the Multnomah County Library, you'll find links to web sites presenting differing views on a broad range of contemporary social issues

Ready Reference Opposing Viewpoints: http://www.lib.lsu.edu/ref/viewpoints.html
From the library at Louisiana State University comes this excellent set of links to resources or information that provides position descriptions on current issues. Everything from the Congressional Quarterly to individual advocacy organizations are represented here.

Online Backgrounders: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/background.html
From PBS - background information for topics covered by PBS's NewsHour show.

Speakout.com: http://www.speakout.com/
Focuses on topics that engender political activism.

Politics Line: http://www.politics-line.com Recent articles from dozens of political columnists. Updated daily.

AmeriStat: http://www.ameristat.org
A quick reference source, this site offers facts, figures, and analysis of key overall demographic trends affecting the US population. Information is arranged topically, covering areas such as migration, education, marriage and family, population estimates, and race and ethnicity. Subtopics describe trends, each with a page offering a brief analysis, including several graphs and charts, links to citations and additional sources, and the ability to download data as ASCII or Excel files. Most of the data is taken from the US Census Bureau and was current as of 2000.

Public Agenda Online: http://www.publicagenda.com/
Public opinion and public policy. Nonpartisan issue guides and public opinion on critical public issues. The guide on abortion, for example, includes an overview, a digest of recent news stories, facts and trends in graph form, a guide to who the players are and how to reach them, areas of public consensus and division, cautionary notes on survey findings, and more.

Ethics Updates: Applied Ethics Resources: http://ethics.acusd.edu/Applied/
A wide range of resources on hot button ethics issues -- abortion, reproductive technologies, the death penalty, animal rights, etc. Included are links to court decisions, articles, and video talks and panel discussions by prominent authorities.

Cambridge Scientific: Hot Topics: http://0-ca1.csa.com.oasis.oregonstate.edu/
Hot Topics Series created by the subject editors at Cambridge Scientific Abstracts. Worth exploring for an overview of the area and citations to other scholarly and online resources. Some topics actually talk about several potential sub-topics, e.g., The Thin Red Line discusses eating disorders, cosmetic surgery and other body related issues.

OCLC Hot Topics: http://www.pais.org/hottopics/index.stm
Links to materials including relevant conferences, data and statistics, electronic directories, government resources, international organizations, international policy instruments, news and information, non-governmental and advocacy groups, and/or research centers.

See also the Subject Research Guides available at: http://osulibrary.oregonstate.edu/research/srg/