Information on Social Issues

How to Find Books

Reference Books - These specialized reference books provide background
material on a topic and are often a good place to start your research.

To Locate Other Books

Use the MCC Library Catalog to find books on specific subjects such as:

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Other Print Sources of Information

The Library has in its collection a number of books and reports on various social and controversial issues that are published as part of a series. The "Opposing Viewpoints Series" is one example of a series publication. Other examples of series publications held in our collection are included below.

The MCC Library Catalog can help you locate these items in our collection. Once connected to the catalog, choose the "Basic Keyword Search" option, enter one of the following titles listed below, and select "Series" from the "Field to Search" drop down menu. A list of books on a wide range of topics will appear in the results list. Write down the call number of the book you are interested in so you can locate it in the library collection.

• At Issue – Books in this series provide in-depth discussions and a wide range of viewpoints on issues such as gay marriage, media bias, reality TV, racism, reproductive technology, affirmative action.

• Current Controversies – This series covers today’s most current national and international issues, and includes essays that initially appeared in periodicals, books, government documents, and public and private organizational publications.

• Contemporary World Issues – This series explores the critical challenges facing America and the world in the 21st century.

• CQ Researcher – Published weekly, this resource provides in-depth, non-biased reports on a wide range on social, economic, political, and environmental issues. CQ Researcher is also available as an online database. See the "How to Find Articles" section below for information on how to access this database from the Library website.

• Opposing Viewpoints – Each book in this series explores a specific issue presenting expert pro/con opinions in essay format on such topics as abortion, the death penalty, and censorship. Opposing Viewpoints is also available as an online database. See the "How to Find Articles" section below for information on how to access this database from the Library website.

• Social Issues Firsthand – "This series contains a collection of narratives written by individuals with first-hand experience in the topic being discussed - either as a participant, witness or as an involved professional."

• Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues - Each book in this series presents opposing viewpoints of controversial issues grouped under broad subject categories.

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How to Find Articles

The MCC Libraries subscribe to a number of different electronic databases you can use to search for articles on your particular topic.

Some databases are full-text and therefore have entire articles from certain magazines, journals, and newspapers available online for you to print directly from the computer.

Library databases to search to locate articles on your topic include:

* See additional help guide available on the Library website.

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Select Websites

The following websites serve as portals to information on controversial topics:

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Need Additional Help with Your Research?

Librarians are always available to assist you at both the Brighton and Damon City Campus libraries.

If you need in-depth help in locating materials for your project, you may want to consider signing up for an Individual Research Consultation. These sessions last from 15 to 30 minutes and give students the opportunity to work one-on-one with a librarian. Appointments are scheduled Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Forms to request an appointment are available at both libraries and also online at: http://www.monroecc.edu/depts/library/IndResConsultForm.htm

P. Czaja, Revised 7/2009, http://www.monroecc.edu/go/library

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