Pro-Con Views, Popular News Articles, and Professional Statistics: Using the "Issues and Controversies" Database to Navigate a Complicated Midterm Election Year

Navigating the numerous debates and topics that come up during an election year is complicated. Even if you know what issues you are passionate about and which will steer your vote, it can sometimes be difficult to get a full perspective on and understand both sides of the debate. The Issues and Controversies database can help navigate these challenges. This blog post describes how to use "Issues and Controversies" (accessible via Databases A-Z) to understand hot button topics and prepare for the upcoming midterm election. 

Of the various resource types available through Issues and Controversies, one of the most useful is its Pro-Con articles. They can be found posted on the front page of the database or searched for (alongside its other resource types) via the main search bar. Both options are illustrated in the screenshot below.  

Each Pro-Con Issue includes a section that highlights the two sides of a particular issue. For example, the "Medicare for All" Pro/Con entry provides two broad sections related to whether the government should, or should not, replace private health insurance with Medicare for all. Use the Table of Contents to learn more about the topic, such as the the history of the topic and the debate around it. There are also resources for further reflection and research such as Discussion Questions, keywords you can use to search for additional resources on the topic, and a bibliography of sources used in the summary provided with additional sources to consult.  

One great thing about "Issues and Controversies" is that entries are up to date, with many essays updated monthly, if not weekly. Additionally, "Issues and Controversies" provides Pro-Con pieces for a variety of different contemporary topics ranging from climate change to AI ethics to the current conflict with Iran. This resource is immensely useful, and we hope you will be able to use it to make more informed decisions as you get out and vote!