Using Issues and Controversies

Issues and Controversies is a database that contains articles, editorial pieces, historical documents, graphics, and statistics on heavily debated, controversial issues. It contains information on over 250 topics, dating back to 1995.The aim of the database is to present a balanced viewpoint on the issues, drawing its information from numerous sources that have differing stances and agendas. Issues and Controversies is an expansive database, allowing you to begin with a basic topic and, with the links provided, explore that topic’s history, development, and the key issues involved.

   Searching for information in Issues and Controversies

Issues and Controversies allows you to search for information in a number of different ways. If you are working on a debate topic you may browse the list of topics under the heading Issues: Pro and Con.  Here you will find links to in-depth articles concerning some of the most hotly debated issues of today, including abortion, the death penalty, and gun control. If you click on the link you will see a lengthy history of the topic along with a clear summary of the main issues at hand. On the left-hand column there are links to related articles from Issues and Controversies, key news events (many of which are organized in a chronological format), and historical overviews on the topic. 

In addition to Pro and Con Issues, Issues and Controversies provides a link to a complete feature comprehensive coverage of topics extending back five years. To search the indexes you may browse a complete list of subjects covered in the database by clicking on Articles A-Z ;or you may select the Subject Index, which organizes the topics into a series of menus. For example, if you select the “Education” Subject Index you will be directed to a menu with links to topics directly related to education. If you select “Ethics and Morality” from this menu you will be directed to a list of topics covered in-depth by Issues and Controversies, including “School Uniforms” and “Corporal Punishment”.

Issues and Controversies also allows you to perform a Full-Text Search, in which you may search for a keyword appearing anywhere in the entire database. The results can either be sorted by title, date, or relevance. If you know the date of a specific story covered in Issues and Controversies you may select the Custom Search, which allows you to select a specific date or date range.   

Viewing, saving, and printing information from Issues on Controversies

Issues and Controversies displays both textual and visual information. Most of the articles you will see present the information as plain-text files, which may be saved to a floppy diskette or printed out. Issues and Controversies also provides numerous photographs, charts, graphs, and maps.  Photographs are in JPEG format; charts, graphs, and maps are in the Graphic Interchange Format (GIF). This is important to remember when saving to a diskette. When saving a JPEG or GIF place the mouse over the image and click on the right mouse button and select the option “Save Image as”. A dialog box will appear that will allow you to select where you want the information saved.  Make sure that you select “3 ½ Floppy (A)” which will save to a diskette. Please do not save to the Desktop.  You also have the options of changing the file name and file type. You may change the file name but do not change the image type. If you want to print out the information in the Library you have two options: you may print at the Internet stations on the first floor for a charge of ten cents per page; or you may print out for free in the Open Computer Lab (Room 210), although you need to supply your own paper. To avoid printing out information that you do not want please utilize the “Print Preview” function from the File menu.  If you need help, please ask a librarian for assistance.

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