Research and Course Guides: ENGL201-W01: Writers at Work, Prof. L. Lindeen, Spring 2021: Online Reference &amp; Background

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Reference materials such as encyclopedias and dictionaries are often excellent starting points for research. They offer reliable background information on many issues and topics, as well as provide historical context.

Background Resources cover many Hot Topics; they provide a good foundation for understanding many current issues.

Background Resources

The resources below contain opposing views, in-depth reports on a variety of social issues, and more (full-text):

Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints This link opens in a new window
A one-stop source for information on a variety of social issues. Access viewpoint articles, topic overviews, statistics, primary documents, links to websites, as well as full-text magazine and newspaper articles.
CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window
Political scientists, journalists & economics researchers are going to find original information on health care, criminal justice, political and social trends, international affairs, education, the environment, technology and the economy. Each report includes an overview; background and chronology on the topic; an assessment of the current situation; tables and maps; pro/con statements from representatives of opposing positions; and bibliographies of key sources.
Issues & Controversies This link opens in a new window
Issues & Controversies explore more than 800 timely, in-depth, and objective articles on topics such as politics, government, business, education, and popular culture. It is updated weekly and provides links to a 13-year backfile. Also included are links to news coverage, pros and cons statements, timelines, statistics, etc.

Online Dictionaries & Encyclopedias

Gale eBooks This link opens in a new window
Full-text encyclopedias and dictionaries.
Oxford African American Studies Center This link opens in a new window
The African American Studies Center contains brief articles on all aspects of the African-American experience along with images, primary sources, time lines, maps, tables, and reference resources.