Question: How do I use Issues and Controversies?

What is Issues and Controversies?

Issues and Controversies is a library subscription database that provides access to original and comprehensive reporting and analysis on important social issues.  It is a great place to find overviews, background information, and unbiased information for your research.  You can use this resource to help you find a topic and focus on something more specific, to gain knowledge on the subject, and see both sides of an issue.

Using this source can benefit you by:

• providing you with a better understanding of concepts related to your topic
• exposing you to terminology and vocabulary related to your topic, which can help you come up with better keywords for your search strategy
• giving you a greater context and perspective to help you better understand the content from scholarly sources

How do I find Issues and Controversies?

1. Start from the Los Angeles Southwest College home page: www.lasc.edu
2. Click on the Library button from the top menu
3. Click on the button for A to Z Databases
4. Scroll down and click on Issues and Controversies.
5. From off-campus, you must log in to access the databases:
   ​​​​​​​Enter your LACCD student email address and enter your LACCD portal password (same as Canvas/Register for classes).
6. To find articles, you can:
   1. Search using keywords
   2. Browse issues in alphabetical order

How do I use Issues and Controversies?

1. Enter your search terms in the search box located on the top of the page, and press enter
2. Review your search results, and click on a relevant title
   • Be sure to look at the dates for the articles
3. Scroll down to read the full report
4. Use the right navigation menu from the report to access different areas of the report such as background, pro/con, chronology, and much more.
5. Use the tools to save the article, share/e-mail, cite, translate, and read aloud.

How do I cite an article from Issues and Controversies?

1. Click on the Cite tool
2. Click on the appropriate citation style 
3. Click on Copy and then paste it into your document
   • Be sure to review the generated citation and correct any errors
   • Be sure to format the citation properly, according to the appropriate citation style
   • Go to our Citation page for more information and examples