Researching Controversial Topics

Controversial is defined as ..."relating to, or arousing controversy, a discussion marked by the expression of opposing views; dispute."

-- Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th ed.

Using the Library catalog: finding background information

1. From our Library hompage <http://libwww.cabrillo.edu/> click on
2. At the Menu screen click on SUBJECT HEADING and enter your search terms in the text box and click on SEARCH.
3. Next you will see a list of titles matching your search terms. Use the LIMIT THIS SEARCH button and when you arrive at the LIMIT THIS SEARCH screen, limit to where the item is located, and use Reference.
4. You have limited your search to Reference books (encyclopedias).

    

Using Academic Search Elite: finding current information

1. From the Library homepage, select FULLTEXT ARTICLES.
2. Next, click on Magazine & Journal Articles (EBSCOhost)
3. On the next screen click on EBSCOhost Web
4. Now select the tab at the top of the screen.
5. From this screen, you can type in your search terms using the Boolean Operators AND, OR, NOT.
6. You can also do a power search by using the follow options:



 

Searching specialized databases: Read all about it

1. From the Library homepage, select FULLTEXT ARTICLES.
2. Next select CQ Researcher -- Policy analysis reports

• The award-winning CQ Researcher explores a single "hot" issue in the news in depth each week.
• Topics range from social and teen issues to environment, health, education and science and technology.
• The CQ Researcher's hallmark is scrupulous objectivity and balance.

 

Jumping into Cyberspace: Finding Web pages on your topic

Let's take a closer look at a typical transaction that occurs when you search for information on the Internet:

1. Picturing how search engines work: you type in the words and you add the operators depending on the protocols or rules for each search engine that you use.
2. Search engines: how well do they cover the Internet?
3. When and why to use Subject Directories, Search Engines, and/or Meta-Search Engines:

1. From the Library homepage select Search The Internet. You will look for high quality web documents on your topic using a Subject Directory, a Search Engine and a Meta-Search Engine. You can use the results of these searches for your L10 workbooks:)
2. Select Librarians' Index to the Internet a Subject Directory.
3. Type in the words alternative energy. The sites listed have been evaluated and selected by librarians. Many of them are published by governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations.
4. Select Google a Search Engine. Use the Advanced search capabilities to combine terms and to limit your results by domain (for example, .org, .edu, .gov).
5. Select Dogpile a Meta-Search Engine. Your search terms will be sent to a number of search engines with differing rules TIP: keep your search simple.

Evaluating Internet Sources: What you see and what you don't see

1. Think of the Internet as a vast, chaotic, democratic, global communication system.
2. Anyone can publish (anything) on the Internet.
3. Remember the old adage, garbage in, garbage out. Use good searching techniques, a variety of search tools (engines, subject directories, meta-search engines) and apply evaluation criteria to the information you find.

 

Getting to this page on the Internet: From the Library homepage <http://www.cabrillo.edu> Select Internet Links.

Next, select English, and click on Course-Related Materials at the top of the page. Scroll down until you

find the file ENGL1A Controversial Topics,

 

shuirman 4/06