POLSC 1
PCC Library Research Session
May 30, 2013
Contents:
 Checking for topic in current newspaper sources
 Checking for topic in newspaper, magazine, and journal sources
 Database search tips
 Topics exercise (results)
 Additional materials or resources that are useful
When in doubt, ask Professor Schander and a librarian. 
Good luck!
-Freda Lin, PCC Librarian
Checking for topic in current newspaper sources
 National Newspapers Core (ProQuest): NY Times, LA Times, Washington P,
Wall SJ, CSM
Checking for topic in current newspaper, magazine, and journal sources
 EBSCOhost (for current newspaper articles)
o Search on topic keyword(s)
o Limit by Published date: May 2013 to May 2013
o (optional) Limit: Full Text
o Limit by database: Newspaper Source Plus
1. Limit by: US Newspapers
2. (optional) Limit by: Publication title
o Click link for silent video demonstration:
http://screencast.com/t/TixIiYNSOG
 EBSCOhost (for journal articles)
o Search on topic keyword(s)
o **Limit your results: Full Text**
o **Limit your results: Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) Journals***
o Click link for silent video demonstration:
http://screencast.com/t/D8V86InMQl9
Database Search Tips:
 Brainstorm
 Phrase search
 AND, OR, NOT
 Add more words to construct focused searches
 Utilize advanced search options
Topics Exercise:
 FBI (Boston Bombing)
 IRS (Tea Party)
 Gay scouts
 Apple company (avoided tax)
 Brown wants students to graduate in for years not 6 and is willing to
provide more funds
 Gun law backers (change gun laws)
 Pentagon unveiled initiative aimed to reduce sexual assault in the military
 Senate Bill (boost Iran sanctions)
 US warned – Russia Plans Syria Arms sale
 Obama’s IRS Choice
 Full Senate Will Debate Immigration
 Sensenbrenner to overhaul criminal code- introduces legislation to cut it by
1/3 to avoid overcriminalisation.
 CA requires “environmental credits”- car companies end up subsidizing
cleaner car companies to get req’s credits. Tesla to make 250mil.
 Capital punishment (Jodi arias, elmer carrol)
 OKC tornado weather service
 Banning beach fires (CA)
 Hacking by China
 North Korea
 President Obama to visit China
Additional material or resources that are useful…
PCC LibGuide for POLSC 1
http://libguides.pasadena.edu/polsc1
A research guide created by PCC Librarian Patty Johnson. See the tab,
“Article Databases,” for more database suggestions.
“Media Bias”
A CQ Researcher report that is good for background information and useful leads
for further research. CQ Researcher is one of the PCC Library databases. Here is a
link to the report:
http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre2013050300
However, I think the link only works when you are on campus. If you are
off-campus, start from the Library’s home page. CQ Researcher is a recommended
database in the PCC LibGuide for POLSC 1.
You can check CQ Researcher for other topics, as well. There may be useful
background information to help explain the controversy surrounding a current
issue.
“Point of View”
http://library.lakelandcc.edu/pdfs/research/bias.pdf
A research guide created by the librarians of Lakeland Library Community
College. It lists a selection of magazines, newspapers, radio and television
networks, as well as think tanks and foundations, by their general point of
view. The guide also provides tips for detecting bias and evaluating
websites.
FactCheck.org
http://factcheck.org/the-factcheck-wire/
From their “About Us” page… “We are a nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer
advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and
confusion in U.S. politics. We monitor the factual accuracy of what is said
by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches,
interviews and news releases. Our goal is to apply the best practices of both
journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and
understanding.
FactCheck.org is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of
the University of Pennsylvania. The APPC was established by publisher and
philanthropist Walter Annenberg to create a community of scholars within
the University of Pennsylvania that would address public policy issues at
the local, state and federal levels.”