Research the Background of the Topic Topics require knowledge of their background or history. Visit your local you college or local library. Reference publications such as general and subject encyclopedias, almanacs, statistical year books, etc. can provide this kind of information. You can also use use of books, newspapers, magazines, news portals, indexes and databases, websites, blogs, search engines. If it is a local incident, you may consider interviewing the people involved. Here is a list of resources that may be used: Gale Virtual Reference Library provides access to more than 1,000 electronic reference titles - called eBooks - in virtually any subject area including health, science, art, history, biography and many more. Encyclopedia Britannica Online Includes the complete encyclopedia, as well as Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. Use Britannica Online to search an Internet directory that includes more than 130,000 links to Web sites selected, rated, and reviewed by Britannica editors. Encyclopedia Americana (Reference, 2nd Floor, AE5.E333 2005) Controversial Topic Books Need a book that provides information about a controversial topic? Then read one of Rio Hondo College Library books specifically on controversial issues. These books include Current Controversies, Opposing Viewpoint, Taking Sides, and provide PROs and CONs as well a list (i.e., a bibliography) of additional articles and other books on your chosen topic. Controversial Topic Books cover such issues as Abortion, Child Abuse, Violence against Women, Gangs, Welfare Reform and more. All the books listed are available in the Reference Room on the second floor of the Library or in the circulating collection. To learn how to locate a call number and location of the book please click here. List of Controversial Topics Books CQ Researcher This is the online version of the print (paper) publication CQ Researcher. The paper version can be found in the Library periodical reading room (H35.E35 1 SERIALS Periodicals,2nd Floor ). Issues & Controversies @ FACTS.com has up-to-date, in-depth, and objective information on prominent and hotly debated issues. Chronologies, illustrations, maps, tables, sidebars, bibliographies, and contact information augment the balanced and accurate coverage of current and historical events. SIRS is a database with thousands of full-text articles in the areas of social science, science, health, economics, business, political and global issues. Select from "Leading Issues" or "Your 'Top 10' Pro vs. Con Leading Issues." Pro & Con from Congressional Digest Corp. is the online version of the independent monthly. It contains key legislative issues before Congress, and includes objective and single-topic coverage of major Supreme Court debates.