Social Issues Pathfinder
   

The following sites and guides are intended as a place for you to start your research.
   

Website Evaluation Tests
 

CARS Reliability Test

 When using sites online, it is important to make sure you evaluate the website to make sure it:
  • Has factual (true and up-to-date) information
  • Allows for you to contact the author in order to clarify the information
  • Includes sources when it presents facts (i.e. statistics, charts, graphs, survey results...)
  • AND MOST IMPORTANTLY...Does not have an agenda...tries to sell something, presents information is a way that is inaccurate or biased, etc...
   

Articles (Newspapers and Magazines)
 

Purchased by the state of Wisconsin, Badgerlink includes newspaper and magazine databases, the catalog for state run libraries and other useful research sites. 

   
 
Instructions for using Badgerlink:
  • On the home page, click on "Magazines and Journals"
  • Click "Continue" on the next screen
  • Enter your social issue topic in the search bar
  • Click on the box next to "Full Text" under the search bar
  • Click "Search"
  • Results listed will begin with the most recent date.
  • Click on the title of the article to read it.
   

SIRS is another online database for magazines and newspaper articles. 
 
Instructions for using SIRS:
  • Click on "Begin a new session", if necessary
  • In the search bar, enter your social issues topic
  • The results will list your social issue as a subject list with websites and articles (or one or the other)
  • Click on the one that might fit your topic best
  • The results will be a list of articles and websites
  • Click on the title to read the article or go to the website
   

Infotrac holds thousands of articles on social issue topics.  Make sure you have your public library card handy to use Infotrac.  It is purchased by the library system of local library patrons to use.  Make sure you click "To articles with text" to get the entire article available.
   

General Information
   

The Homework Center from the Multnomah County Library is a comprehensive listing of websites relating to contemporary social issues.  Click on your topic and you will be directed to a list of websites to check for information.  Remember to check the reliability of the websites listed before using any of the information.
   

Search Engines
   

Use Google to search for your social issue.  REMEMBER...Evaluate the site from which you are taking information.  Make sure you understand the opinion of the author or organization before using the information listed on the site.
   

For more research tips and tools, go the the HASD Library home page.
   
   

This page contains external links to other websites.

Hortonville Area School District does not take responsibility

for the content contained on external sites.