Reference Sources
MW Library Catalog – reference books (e.g. History in Dispute)
Encyclopedia Virginia (VFH)
Opposing Viewpoints (Gale) – database focused on contrasting policy perspectives
PowerSearch (Gale) – incl. reference books and Congressional Research Service reports
Salem History – great reference for American decades research
Supreme Court Decisions by issue
U.S. History in Context (Gale) – history focus (unlike general PowerSearch database)
Virtual Reference Library (Gale) – digital reference books on a variety of topics
Research Sources
JSTOR – archive of scholarly articles (does not include most recent 5 years)
American History
Historical Newspapers
American Government
Strategies for Exploring Contrasting Viewpoints
Although you may already hold an opinion in regard to a public policy issue, in order to write or speak persuasively about it, you should familiarize yourself with the arguments and evidence of those whose opinions differ from yours. By their nature, such sources are usually biased. Whenever possible, evaluate evidence firsthand rather than relying on an interpretation. Cull footnotes or reference lists for leads. Resources for exploring contrasting viewpoints include the following:
- Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports curated by the Univ. of N. Texas or EveryCRSreport.com, and available elsewhere online and in PowerSearch, provide an even-handed introduction to topics.
- CQ Researcher – detailed reports about policy issues that include pro/con essays
- Issue briefs from ProCon.org (also linked from Issues pages of AllSides.com)
- Viewpoint essays in Opposing Viewpoints in Context
- Contrasting current news coverage from AllSides.com
- Opinion essays, editorials, and articles in persuasive/polemic publications found with PowerSearch and AP Source (view PDF list) or on the open web
- Position statements and reports from non-profit* organizations and think tanks (a.k.a. policy institutes) who advocate particular policies
- Policy briefs published by research centers or other organizations in print or online
*Note: Nonprofit and nonpartisan does NOT mean an organization is neutral. Although nonpartisan means they are not affiliated with a political party, they often advocate a particular policy position. If they don’t declare their position openly, you may detect their bias by analyzing their arguments and considering the tone and vocabulary with which they express them. To ascertain the degree of their political neutrality, examine the interests and positions of their donors (including companies who sponsor them), board members, executive leaders, and guest speakers.
Topical Archives
Virginia History
Richmond History
