Research Resources: Background & Current Topics

This guide is designed: 

• To provide foundational support in preliminary navigation of library databases
• To provide a selection of resources to support background research, as well as research on current events or ongoing issues and controversies
• To provide some basic tools that may assist in assessing information for accuracy or point of view

Note: Where descriptions of published content are extracted from that resource, such representations are placed within quotation marks. 

This guide aims to share resources to support research and instruction. It includes materials that convey strong portrayals of—and contrasts between—points of view. Please be advised that perspectives and understandings may vary. Sharing of resources through this guide does not necessarily constitute endorsement. 

This guide was created by A. Barbour in conjunction with and drawing on materials from the Reference Librarians of the Jim Dan Hill Library.

Inspiration was drawn, in part, from the Issues & Controversies  and Independent News Sites and News Verification Guides from Rowan University's Campbell Library

Last update: July 25, 2025

For questions or comments, please contact askref@uwsuper.edu

This guide is licensed under CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0