American Government and Politics
Library Research Guide
The purpose of this guide is to help you find journal, magazine, and newspaper articles to support the Debate Paper. Although the Internet provides a good deal of information on the topic you will be exploring (remember to be critical since anybody can publish a webpage and when it comes to political issues some people attempt to make opinion appear as fact) Library databases will provide information that is not free on the web. After all, if everything was free on the web magazines, journals, newspapers, and other information providers would lose subscriptions and cease to exist.
To get good background information on many topics connect to the following two resources:
- CQ Researcher
Description : The CQ Researcher explores a single "hot" issue in the news in depth each week. Topics range from social and teen issues to environment, health, education and science and technology. There are 44 reports produced each year including four expanded reports. Contains reports for the following topics -- Media Bias, No Child Left Behind Act, and Term limits.
- CQ Weekly
Description : CQ Weekly is a weekly source of information on government, politics and public policy. CQ Weekly contains an unbiased and comprehensive roundup of all-important Capitol Hill activity from the previous week. CQ Weekly takes each legislative issue being debated and provides a clear explanation of its historical significance, how it’s evolving and what to look for in the future. Status of legislation, agendas of individual members and the appropriations process are all covered thoroughly and impartially. Will be a great source for keeping up on Elections.
To find journal and magazine articles:
- Academic Search Premier from EbscoHostDescription : Gain access to information from a wide range of academic areas including literature and language.
Coverage: varies from title to title, but approximately 1990 to the present.
- OmniFILE FT Mega (Wilson)
Description: Wilson OmniFile Full Text, Mega Edition is a multi-disciplinary database providing the complete content from six of Wilson's full-text databases: Education Full Text, General Science Full Text, Humanities Full Text, Readers' Guide Full Text, Social Sciences Full Text, and Wilson Business Full Text. Full-text articles from five additional periodical databases are also included when available: Applied Science & Technology Full Text, Art Full Text, Biological & Agricultural Index, Index to Legal Periodicals & Books, and Library Literature & Information Science Full Text.
Coverage: 1994 -
To find newspaper articles:
- Proquest Newspapers
Description: Indexing, abstracting and full-text of over 300 state, national and international newspapers. Includes full-text coverage of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and Madison Capital Times.
Coverage: 1989 -
- Green Bay Press-Gazette
Description: Complete full-text content of local and regional news, including community events, schools, politics, government policies, cultural activities, local companies, state industries, and people in the community. Paid advertisements are excluded.
Coverage: 1999 -
To find web sites:
Of course please stop by the reference desk on the third floor (reference desk hours) if you are working in the Library and have questions.