Issues and Viewpoints - Debates, Pros and Cons - Ready Reference Center at Middletown Thrall Library - Web Research, Websites, Internet Resources

Issues & Viewpoints

Pros & Cons, Debates

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Highly Recommended

Opposing Views.com: This website explores a variety of issues from different perspectives. "Experts" on issues as well as Internet users comment on each topic. Users can also participate in polls on topics.
Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center: This database can be used to explore a variety of "pro" (for) and "con" (against) viewpoints on numerous topics. Browse or search for an issue and view full text articles to learn more about different positions, controversies, arguments, disagreements, and similar opinions shared by scholars and experts. For Middletown Thrall Library cardholders.
ProCon.org: ProCon.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) public charity whose mission is "Promoting education, critical thinking, and informed citizenship by presenting controversial issues in a simple, nonpartisan primarily pro-con format."
Sirs Knowledge Source: SIRS Knowledge Source is described as "a general reference database containing thousands of full-text articles exploring social, scientific, health, historic, business, economic, political and global issues. Articles and graphics are selected from 1,600 domestic and international publications and are indexed primarily according to Library of Congress subject headings."

Other Websites to Consider

Debatabase: Complete Index of Debate Topics: Browse topics alphabetically. Clicking on a topic produces a page including an overview of the topic as well as "pros and cons" (contrary viewpoints and ideologies). Provided by International Debate Education Association (IDEA).
Debate Central: "Debate Central is an online resource created and maintained by the National Center for Policy Analysis for high school students researching the nationwide high school debate topic. Our primary objective is to provide students from disadvantaged and low-income school districts with cost-free access to the best debate material available. In so doing, we work to expose debaters to multiple perspectives on each topic and equip them with a deeper, well-rounded understanding of major public policy issues." Click "Research Topics" to browse current issues in focus and recommended readings.
Glossary of Terms Used in Debating: Provided by International Debate Education Association (IDEA).
Issues in Science and Technology: Described as "the quarterly policy journal of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and the University of Texas at Dallas. We publish articles that analyze current topics in science, technology, and health policy and recommend actions by government, industry, academia, and individuals to solve pressing problems." Articles from current issues can be viewed. Past articles/issues can also be searched.
The New York Times: Current Issues - Opinions and Editorials: Exploring major topics, policy positions, persons, and events in the news.
Public Policy Issues and Groups: Browse alphabetically by topic for related web resources. Provided by Vanderbilt University Library.
Social and Family Issues: Select a topic from the list for definitions, overviews, articles/viewpoints, news, research, and more. Provided by MedlinePlus from the U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health.
Social Issues Research Centre: "The Social Issues Research Centre is an independent, non-profit organisation founded to conduct research on social and lifestyle issues, monitor and assess global sociocultural trends and provide new insights on human behaviour and social relations."