9th grade English Argument Writing
The SIRS Issues Researcher database is a useful resource for argument research. The following guide addresses basic and advanced database features and offers search options that yield quality results. Exploring the database will simplify and enhance your argument writing experience and provide essential practice for future argument research.
SIRS Issues Researcher offers:
quality sources—300+ topics from a wide range of controversial issues
a variety of formats—articles, newspapers, magazines, and multi-media
basic and advanced searching tools—specific searching=specific results
unique features—address information needs and Common Core standards
Browsing the internet for a
particular topic is similar to
searching the ocean for a certain
kind of fish. However, exploring a
specific database narrows the
research quest and provides a
pond of quality resources.
TOP TEN—LEADING ISSUES
This primary feature provides quick
access to leading issues that are
relevant and offers current research
from credible sources.
A-Z AND PULL-DOWN MENU
The A-Z menu offers quick access to
particular topics as does the pull-
down option. Each provides fast
retrieval of pertinent data.
TOPIC BROWSER—GROUPS
This feature is useful to researchers
who are choosing topics, as a user
can browse categories and then
narrow choices from selected groups.
BASIC: provides a search box that
accommodates single and
grouped search terms, such as
texting. The feature also
accommodates grouped terms,
such as texting AND driving. This
feature is effective for most
research requests.
ADVANCED: provides additional tools and for more specific research
combinations (Boolean operators), such as texting AND driving AND danger OR
risk. The advanced tools allow users to choose from Title, Subject, and Author
terms, and offer truncation options (*) for plural terms: danger* OR risk*.
Researchers may exclude particular search terms by utilizing the NOT feature, as
well. With practice, these advanced tools add specificity to searching, which reaps
more specific results.
NARROWED Searching = Narrowed RESULTS: Search
results are listed numerically by information categories: articles, newspapers,
magazines, websites, and multi-media resources. Users may save selected
sources for future reference. Don’t fish the internet ocean! Search
the argument research database pond: SIRS Issues Researcher