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CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES


Almanac of Policy Issues

•  "The Almanac of Policy Issues is an independent public service not affiliated with any particular issue or cause;" it attempts "... to present all sides of each issue and to do so in an unbiased, journalistic format"
•  Links to over 70 topics organized under the following categories: criminal justice, culture/society, economic issues, education, environment, government operations, healthcare, social welfare, world (foreign affairs/national security)
•  Each category links to the following: directories, news, federal agencies, associations and interest groups (from across the ideological spectrum), statistics, articles
•  Each sub-topic offers an overview and resources/links which follow the format organized by category
•  One of the best unbiased issues/policy sites; a wide variety of topics, with very even-handed coverage


Alternative Press Center (APC)

•  "The Alternative Press Center (APC) is a non-profit collective dedicated to providing access to and increasing public awareness of the alternative press"
•  "Online Directory" links to over 425 publications (many of which belong to the Independent Press Association); the profile of each publication includes contact/subscription information, e-mail address (when available), editorial staff directory, "readership characteristics," "Indexed in," link to home page; browsable by title/subject
•  "Alternative Viewpoints on the Internet" is a directory of links to over 80 topics on human rights, international relations, gender issues, business, the environment, social issues; comprehensiveness of links vary according to topic
•  Most links are to advocacy/public interest associations/organizations; accompanied by excellent annotations
•  Highly recommended; this excellent site is one of the best — if not the best — website currently available for alternative publications and viewpoints


Best Information on the Net: Hot Paper Topics

•  Maintained by Stella Herzig, O'Keefe Library, St. Ambrose University
•  Links to sites for 23 controversial issues; also links to other "hot topics" websites
•  Brief annotations accompany most links
•  Also links to resources by major, student resources, faculty resources, disability resources
•  Well-chosen topics; great as a starting point


Controversial Topics/Current Issues

•  Maintained by the Schauerman Library, El Camino College (ECC)
•  A directory of Internet, print and database resources located at the Schauerman Library
•  Print resources listed should be available at many academic libraries or large public libraries; databases are restricted to the ECC academic community, although many may be found at academic libraries or large public libraries
•  The outstanding feature of this site is "Selected Web Resources," an excellent selection of links to some of the best controversial topics/current issues sites in one place


Controversial Topics Resource Guide

•  Maintained by H. Beggan for North Harris College Library
•  Tutorial with links on conducting research: finding a topic, finding websites, finding books and government documents, finding periodical articles, evaluating sources
•  Discusses print resources; links to other "hot topics" indexes/websites
•  One of the better brief guides for planning and conducting research in this area


Ethics Updates

•  Maintained by Lawrence M. Hinman, University of San Diego
•  This site "... is intended to provide updates on current literature, both popular and professional, that relate to ethics"
•  "Ethical Theory" links to various "schools" of ethical thought and a discussion forum
•  "Applied Ethics" links to the following topics: abortion, bioethics/reproductive technology, death penalty, euthanasia, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, gender/sexism, animal rights, poverty, world hunger, the environment, military ethics
•  Each "Applied Ethics" topic contains the following: websites (may include court decisions, statistical resources), online full-text articles ("pro" and "con"), case studies, discussion forums, videos (when available)
•  Excellent; this is one of the best — if not the — best resources for the "applied ethics" topics which it covers


Facts on File Reference Suite   (JWU Database)

•  Restricted to the Johnson & Wales Univ. community
•  Sponsored by Facts on File World News Digest
•  "Issues and Controversies" provides access to a wide variety of controversial topics, which are accessible through "Indexes" (alphabetically or by topic)
•  The following information is provided for most (but not all) topics: overview, related articles, key news events, biographies, bibliography, contact information, keywords/points
•  Also provides access to statistical information and source documents
•  Includes archives for historic events since 1940, heads of state/government leaders, country profiles, world press links
•  Complements Opposing Viewpoints   (JWU Database)
•  Excellent source for issues research and additional news information


First Amendment Topics

•  Maintained by the First Amendment Center (FAC), located at Vanderbilt University; also affiliated with the “Freedom Forum”
•  The FAC “aspires to become the preeminent clearinghouse for information concerning the five First Amendment freedoms” and works to preserve and protect First Amendment freedoms through information and education”
•  “Topics” links to over 130 essays/resources for issues dealing with freedom of speech, freedom of the press, religious liberty, freedom of assembly, freedom of petition; examines a wide variety of issues, including campus speakers, K-12 clothing/uniform codes, cameras in the courtroom, funeral protests, “blue laws,” SLAPP suits, bumper stickers
•  Each topic under consideration includes an overview, FAQ section, cases/resources; each topic is researched and written by FAC columnists or contributing legal experts
•  “State of the First Amendment Reports” from 1997 through 2007; these may be downloaded
•  Frequently updated
•  Outstanding; this site is an excellent resource for topical information on the many issues which are related to the First Amendment; well-written and very user friendly; highly recommended


Global Issues That Affect Everyone

•  Created and maintained by Anup Shah
•  With "... over 5,000 links to external articles, web site reports and analysis," this site provides critical commentary and evaluation for numerous controversial issues
•  Concentrates on issues which Mr. Shah feels have been given inadequate attention by the mainstream media
•  Broad categories include trade-related issues, geopolitics, environmental issues, human rights issues
•  A total of 30 sub-topics with in-depth links constitutes the bulk of the site
•  One of the best sites for analysis of worldwide issues/controversies; analysis is thorough and insightful


Homework Center — Social Issues

•  Created and maintained by Kate Houston Mitchoff for the Multnomah County Library
•  Links to information for 44 controversial/contemporary issues
•  Topics may link to meta-sites, "pro/con" commentary, court decisions/legislation
•  Short annotations accompany links
•  Excellent; created for the research needs of middle school and high school students, this site is very useful for anyone conducting research on controversial issues of the day
•  “Mysterious & Unexplained” (http://www.multicolib.org/homework/mysterious.html), also sponsored by Multnomah County Library, provides an interesting perspective on a variety of controversial and “mysterious” phenomena, including the paranormal, “urban legends,” mysterious creatures (Bigfoot, Loch Ness Monster), unsolved crimes (Jack the Ripper), psychic phenomena, unsolved mysteries


"Hot" Religious Topics"

•  Sponsored by "ReligiousTolerance.org"
•  Links to over 40 "currently active conflicts" with ethical, moral or religious implications
•  A "conflict" may contain an overview, basic facts, public opinion, laws/regulations, statistics, links to associations/organizations representing both sides of the issue
•  Very useful for its provision of a balanced approach to "conflicts" and the inclusion of topics not often available elsewhere (cremation vs. burial, medical treatment vs. prayer, spanking)


Hot Topics

•  Maintained by University of Louisville Libraries: Government Resources
•  Browsable directory of over 400 “hot topics” including social problems, politics, legal issues, healthcare, media, Internet, the environment, civil rights/liberties, science, defense/security, terrorism, controversial people in the news
•  Resource content for topics link to government agency reports, congressional hearings, laws, advocacy organizations, academic research, NGOs, “think tanks,” news
•  Includes topics (arming of airline pilots, church arson, payday loans) not readily found in other sites
•  Excellent cross-referencing
•  No annotations
•  Outstanding; this very extensive site offers a cornucopia of links to many controversial topics and current awareness issues; great for both the novice and the experienced researcher; highly recommended


Infodome — Hot Topics Supersites

•  Maintained by Laura Hudson for San Diego State University Library
•  Provides links to 13 "supersites" for analysis/commentary on controversial issues
•  Broad content areas include civil liberties, the environment, ethics, feminism, the news, social issues
•  Excellent annotations accompany each link
•  Great source for accessing some of the best controversial issue gateway sites in one place


Issue Guides

•  Sponsored by OneWorld, "a unique network for people and groups across the globe engaged in human rights and sustainable development"
•  Consists of 41 guides on a variety of economic, environmental, political, scientific and social issues/controversies
•  Each guide consists of a short, informative essay with links to full-text articles from public policy and internationally-orient journals; "over 75,000 articles, organized by topics, country and region"
•  Provides cross-referenced links to related guides within the site
•  Excellent source for provocative articles about issues/controversies and their impact on nations


JURIST

•  “Web-based legal news and real-time legal research service,which utilizes “part-time law student reporters, editors and Web developers led by law professor Bernard Hibbits at the University of Pittsburg School of Law”’
•  “Entirely non-commercial and ad-free,” JURIST “concentrates on legal issues with significant jurisprudential, social and political implications”
•  “Topics” links to “Current Awareness,” which examines “hot topics,” both domestically and internationally; resources include news, websites, “Recent Commentary,” “Recent Documents,” and “Recent Video” (if available)
•  “Countries” provide up-to-date legal news/websites for over 70 countries; many also have links to “Recent Documents”/videos
•  “A – Z Directory” is an archive of over 140 topics concentrating on legal issues/persons who have been in the news in recent years
•  Outstanding; this free resource is a great way to keep track of controversial issues with legal implications, both nationally and internationally


Links to Controversial Topics/Resources

•  Sponsored by Morgana's Observatory
•  This eclectic page provides links to a number of unusual sites, including such esoterica as alleged AIDS testing on "expendable" people, the Port Chicago nuclear controversy, the "Unabomber's Manifesto" and other conspiracy-oriented sites
•  This page contains data outside of conventional sources; it's a good example of the numerous conspiracy sites on the internet


Online Backgrounders

•  Sponsored by Online NewsHour
•  Provides background news reports and discussions/interviews from PBS's News Hour
•  Links to over 25 national news categories, including the economy, the environment, health, law, politics, science, business and cyberspace
•  Also links to international news
•  Most (but not all) reports, discussions/interviews are archived from 1997 to the present
•  Very useful for perspectives on a wide variety of issues; interviews are especially useful


Opposing Viewpoints  (JWU Database)

•  Restricted to the Johnson & Wales Univ. community
•  Directory of research materials for over 100 sites for controversial social, economic, health, legal, and environmental issues
•  The following information is provided for each issue: "Viewpoints," "Reference," "Magazines & Newspapers," and "Websites
•  Some issues, when warranted, receive additional resources for statistical data, images, "primary documents"
•  Searchable by subject, keyword, full-text
•  Includes "Help" and "Search Tips" features
•  Complements Facts on File Reference Suite   (JWU Database)
•  This excellent resource is comprehensive, easy-to-navigate and is frequently updated


Opposing Views

•  Sponsored by the University of Washington Libraries
•  Sites are categorized by the following: "General Sites," "Multi-Issue Politicized Sites," and "Single Issue Sites"
•  "General Sites" links to websites/journals which "... present a wide variety of views on many current issues"
•  "Multi-Issue Politicized Sites" link to websites/journals which "present news coverage from a particular point of view, i.e., a political party, a religious group, an ethnic population, etc."
•  "Single Issue Sites" link to advocacy groups for a limited number of controversial topics
•  One of the best sites for quick links to many of the major American institutions involved in public affairs and opinion


Public Agenda Online

•  Sponsored by Public Agenda, "... a nonpartisan, nonprofit public research and citizen education organization"
•  Links to 22 controversial topics in the social sciences, health, education, the environment, government
•  Each topic contains the following: "Understanding the Issue" (factual, non-partisan commentary, recent news coverage, opposing viewpoints, research studies, organizations) and "Public Opinion" (polling data, public opinion on policy options, public opinion volatility on the issue)
•  Each topical analysis also includes a "Fact File" which includes statistical information, graphs, timelines, surveys relating to the issue; this feature in itself is of great value for issue analysis
•  E-mail alerts available
•  Highly recommended; one of the best sources for the topics under consideration, since the degree of comprehensiveness is unmatched


Social Issues

•  Maintained by the San Antonio Public Library (SAPL)
•  Directory of sites for 23 categories of controversial issues in the economic, environmental, health, civil liberties and social areas
•  Each category's links are accompanied by short, incisive annotations
•  Also links to "General" sites for social issues
•  Links to SAPL's "Current Events" and "News and Media" pages
•  While not extensive, this excellent site's links are among the best, most essential currently available; easy-to-navigate


Social Issues and Social Welfare Resources

•  Sponsored by the Internet Public Library (IPL)
•  Links to over 40 social issue/social welfare websites, most of which are associations for specific causes/issues
•  Links are accompanied by excellent annotations
•  Also links to IPL sub-pages for animal rights, crime, disabilities, housing/poverty, human rights, hunger, literacy, philanthropy/social service, public safety, social work
•  Also links to associations, magazines on social issues/social welfare
•  In keeping with the IPL tradition, this is a great place to begin research and to become familiar with standard resources in the field


Yahoo! Society and Culture>Issues and Causes

•  Sponsored by Yahoo! Inc.
•  Topical directory to over 90 issues/causes with over 5,100 links
•  Brief annotations accompany many links
•  One of the most user-friendly search engines for quick links to a wide variety of issues


Websites discussed on this page are for informational purposes only. Johnson & Wales University Library is not responsible for the accuracy, content, or stability of any websites linked to this page.

Compiled by Rick Keogh 11/01; revised 11/03, 5/08

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