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Pro & Con Sources on Social Issues: Print Sources
By Amy Herman, Library Adjunct Faculty, 11/24/04
Below are comparisons of some pro/con print sources in our library. When you see “Call numbers vary” in the location column, you’ll need to search our library catalog to find out the specific topics that are covered in each source/series. Do a keyword search, putting the series title in quotation marks. For example, to see which topics are covered in Contemporary World Issues, enter our library catalog, click on the “Keyword” option in the “Search Using” box, and type the following in the search box: “contemporary world issues”. You will get a list of all of the books in that series, including their locations on the shelves.
| Source |
Description (advantages & disadvantages) |
Location |
| Congressional Digest |
Periodical covering controversies in Congress.
+ good mix of opinions
+ well known people and organizations are quoted
+ bipartisan
+ has own index (Dec. issues) and is indexed in EbscoHost, Proquest Direct, Readers Guide
- limited topic coverage to only those in debate in Congress |
On periodical shelves, filed alphabetically by title; also on microfilm; full text in Ebsco-Host |
| CQ Researcher |
Periodical covering a variety of argumentative topics. Each issue provides various viewpoints, detailed background information, chronologies, and bibliographies in about 20 pages.
+ good for browsing and topic selection
+ experts write opinions about the issue
+ has own index (blue issues) and is indexed in EbscoHost |
On periodical shelves, filed alphabetically by title; full text on Pro-quest cd-rom |
| Contemporary World Issues |
Book series including chronologies, statistics, glossaries, organizations, bibliographies, and biographical information about important figures.
+ longer and more comprehensive than similar series listed here |
Reference shelves; Call numbers vary |
| Current Controversies |
Book series, including bibliographies and lists of organizations
+ exhaustive survey of the arguments
+ diversity of opinions
- some do not have indexes |
Non-fiction circulating; Call numbers vary |
| Library in a Book |
Book series including chronology, bibliography, organizations, and glossary
+ comprehensive overview of the topic
+ includes suggested research starting points
- limited number of topics covered |
Reference shelves; Call numbers vary |
| Opposing Viewpoints |
Book series presenting balanced, opposing points of view on complex and sensitive issues. Includes diverse materials taken from magazines, journals, books, and newspapers, as well as statements and position papers from a wide range of individuals, organizations, and governments.
+ excellent selection of topics and opinions
+ includes bibliographies
+ includes lists of organizations to contact
- viewpoints are reprinted from other sources |
Non-fiction circulating; Call numbers vary; also in
searchable database available at www.krl.org |
| The Reference Shelf |
Book series
+ large selection of topics
+ includes bibliographies and lists of organizations
- viewpoints are reprinted from other sources
- some of the books are out-of-date; be aware of publication date |
Non-fiction circulating; Call numbers vary |
| Taking sides |
Book series written in the style of debates.
+ useful introductions and postscripts for each issue
- viewpoints reprinted from other sources
- no separate bibliography |
Non-fiction circulating; Call numbers vary |
Chart adapted from: Pierce College Libraries. Finding pro and con sources. Viewed 12 October 2004. Available: http://www.pierce.ctc.edu/Library/quicktips/procon.pdf
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