A well-informed citizen should seek to analyze and understand the many sides of a controversial issue. While debates about controversial issues can be found across many social media platforms and websites, fact-based opinions by experts can be more difficult to find. Use the resources below to find viewpoints from experts, policy-makers, and professionals with fact-based opinions about controversial topics.
Need a counter-argument to your argument? Try searching for editorials in these popular magazines and newspapers who, according to AllSides.com, have a liberal or conservative bias. The bias within each publication is not a reflection of their accuracy or credibility. Additionally, the news stories themselves may or may not be written with a specific bias. However, look for editorials or opinion columns for the conservative or liberal opinions on issues and news.
Information on bias comes from AllSides Media Bias Chart, Version 3, 2020: https://www.allsides.com/media-bias/media-bias-ratings
Once you have found a news source or publication, use the "Search Within" features which appear in the library databases for your keyword terms. Pair these terms with the words, "Opinion", "Editorial", or "Perspective" to find opinion articles.
You can also look for Advanced Search option to limit results to Document Type "Editorials":
Depending on the database, you may see different options to browse or search. Within Ebsco branded databases, you'll need to click "Search Within This Publication" to find editorials and opinions.
You can also try searching for the words "Pros and Cons" or "Pro and Con" for opposing viewpoints, particularly within publications like the Congressional Digest:
These government publications are found in Academic Search Complete as individual periodicals. You can search within each publication for information related to congress, legislation, and the arguments on both sides of the issues.
