Wednesday, January 13, 2010

CQ Researcher: A Tool to Jump-start Research Projects

CQ Researcher continues to create great reports that can facilitate student research. These reports provide basic background on their topics, which are usually of current interest. The bibliographies point to other sources the students can cite, and the Pro/Con section can point to different viewpoints from respected experts.

The following are some titles of CQ Researcher reports that might be of interest to students who need to decide on a topic for a term paper, project, or speech. If you are a college student or instructor, check your libraries listing of databases. At ISU, CQ Researcher can be found in the alphabetical listing of databases in the C's.

Agriculture
“Biofuels Boom: Can ethanol satisfy America's thirst for foreign oil?” (Sept. 29, 2006)
“Global Food Crisis: What’s causing the rising prices?” (June 27, 2008)
“Factory Farms: Are they the best way to feed the nation?”(Jan. 12, 2007)
Business, Banking, & Economics
“Middle-Class Squeeze: Is more government aid needed?” (Mar. 6, 2009)
“Business Bankruptcy: Are U.S. bankruptcy laws effective?”(Apr. 10, 2009)
“Socially Responsible Investing: Can investors do well by doing good?” (Aug. 29, 2008)
Communications and the Mass Media
“Online Privacy: Do Americans need better protection?”
(Nov. 6, 2009) “Cyberbullying: Are new laws needed to curb online aggression?”
(May 2, 2008) “Conspiracy Theories: Do they threaten democracy?”
(Oct. 23, 2009)
Culture, Sports, and Recreation
“Stolen Antiquities: Should museums return relics to their country of origin?”
(Apr. 13, 2007)
“Extreme Sports: Are they too dangerous?”
(Apr. 3, 2009)
“Prostitution Debate: Should the United State legalize sex work?” (May 23, 2008)
Education
“Student Aid: Will many low-income students be left out? (Jan. 25, 2008)
“The Value of a College Education: Is a four-year degree the only path to a secure future?”(Nov. 20, 2009)
“Drinking on Campus: Have efforts to reduce alcohol abuse failed?” (Aug. 18, 2006)
Employment, Labor, & Income
“Straining the Safety Net: Is joblessness overwhelming aid programs?” (July 31, 2009)
“Rethinking Retirement: Can Americans afford to retire?” (June 19, 2009) “America’s Border Fence: Will it stem the flow of illegal immigrants?” (Sept. 19, 2008)
Energy>
“Confronting Warming: Can states and localities prevent climate change?” (Jan. 9, 2009)
“Coal’s Comeback: Can coal become a clean energy source?” (Oct. 5, 2007)
“Oil Jitters: Are the days of cheap oil gone forever?” (Jan. 4, 2008)
Family and Domestic Life
“Future of Feminism: Are women returning to a 1950’s mindset?” (Apr. 14, 2006) “Cyber Socializing: Are Internet sites such as Myspace potentially dangerous?” (July 28, 2006)
“Sex Offenders: Will tough new laws do more harm than good?” (Sept. 8, 2006)
Health
“Heart Health: Is America ready for the coming cardiac crisis?” (Sept. 12, 2008)
“Regulating Toxic Chemicals: Do we know enough about chemical risks?” (Jan. 23, 2009)
“Stem Cell Research: Is Pres. Bush blocking important medical research?” (Sept. 1, 2006)
Religion
“Religion and Politics: Is President Bush too vocal about his faith?” (July 30, 2004)
“Understanding Islam: Is Islam compatible with Western values?” (Nov. 3, 2006) “Protestants Today: Can U.S. Protestants survive today’s challenges?” (Dec. 7, 2007)
Science & Technology
“Human Spaceflight: Are missions to the moon and Mars feasible?”(Oct. 16, 2009)
“Science in America: Are we falling behind in science and technology?” (Jan. 11, 2008)
“Intelligent Design: Should alternatives to evolution theory be taught?” (July 29, 2005)
Social Movements
“Changing U.S. Electorate: Are demographic trends reshaping U.S. politics?” (May 30, 2008)
“Gay Marriage Showdowns: Will voters bar marriage for same-sex couples?” (Sept. 26, 2008)
“Hate Groups: Is extremism on the rise in the United States?” (May 8, 2009)
War & Conflict
“New Strategy in Iraq: Will President Bush’s troop surge work?” (Feb. 23, 2007)
“Mexico’s Drug War: Is the violence spilling into the U.S.?”(Dec. 12, 2008)
“Cost of the Iraq War: Are economic woes a casualty of unexpectedly high costs?” (Apr. 25, 2008)

Elements of a CQ Researcher Report
  • Overview
  • Background
  • Bibliography
  • Pro/Con Discussion
  • Outlook
  • Current Situation
  • Chronology
  • Maps/Graphs
  • Contacts (Addresses and websites of reputable organizations)
  • Next Step (Additional articles and resources to explore the issue.)
  • “Cite Now!” shows you how to cite in various formats.
  • You can email a pdf copy of the whole report or individual sections.
  • Search by Keyword
  • Browse by Topic or Date

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