Background Information and Facts
- Britannica Online
- Provides quick background on terms and topics. Searchable by keyword or browsing with alphabetic list.
- Congressional Almanac. Annual
JK1.C66 (Reference) - Summaries of U.S. legislative topics and congressional activities updated by CQ Weekly Reports.
- CQ Researcher
- Also available in paper D 410 .E42 (Reference)
CQ Researcher examines contemporary issues that affect the public at large. Each issue focuses on a different topic with background, historical milestones, an overview of the current situation, future outlook and opposing viewpoints (plus bibliographies). Topics range from global warming to child labor. Archives issues from 1991.
- State of the World. Annual
HC59.S734 (Reference) - Worldwatch Institute reviews of environmental and peace issues.
- ProQuest
- Use ProQuest to get full text on business or liberal arts subjects. Select all databases and enter key terms.
- Vital Speeches via ProQuest
- Use ProQuest to search for Vital Speeches. Open the database and type "vital speeches" in the first box and use the drop-down menu to click on "Publication Title" and add a search term to get a speech on a desired subject.
- To locate other specialized subject encyclopedias and handbooks, such as the Encyclopedia of Bioethics, International Encyclopedia of Communications or a science encyclopedia, look in the online library catalog.
Search Library Catalogs for Books & Videos
- Online Library Catalog
- Lists all of the library materials (books, videos, reports, CDs, recordings, etc.) held in the Babson, Bentley, Pine Manor, and Regis college libraries. You can use your Babson ID at any of the libraries to check out materials or you can request materials be delivered (free of charge) to the Babson library. Inquire at the Information Desk or fill out an online Interlibrary Loan form.
- Choose the Word & Phrases option to search for title, subject and author keywords and often a book's table of contents. Sometimes a narrow topic may be treated in a chapter of a more general book. For example, a chapter on cocaine may be in a book on drug abuse. If your results are sparse, try a more general subject term or a synonym and watch for other related subject terms.
- Other Library Catalogs
- Not finding what you are looking for in WEBnet? Try this page for links to other regional and global library catalogs.
Magazine & Newspaper Articles
For almost any topic, start with Infotrac, LexisNexis Academic, Factiva (all accessible off-campus):
- Infotrac Web
- The Expanded Academic ASAP and General Reference files have great coverage of many topics.
- LexisNexis Academic
- Provides full text newspaper, magazine/journal articles as well as links to biographical, legal, and business information.
- Factiva
- Best coverage of current news. The fulltext of all editions of the Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times and more than 8,000 other newspapers, magazines and trade publications are available.
- After you've searched Factiva, Infotrac, LexisNexis Academic, try the following links for leads to other library databases.
- Electronic Resources at the Horn Library
- This library guide is an A to Z listing of all of the electronic resources and database services that the library subscribes to, including many full text databases.
Finding Editorials
- Factiva
- The full text of all editions of the Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe and more than 8,000 other newspapers, magazines and trade publications.
- LexisNexis Academic
- Provides full text newspaper, magazine and journal articles.
- Editorials on File
D410.E43x (Reference) - Editorials from newspapers across the country are arranged by subject.
Debate Materials/Pro & Con
See the following sources for opinions for and against a particular side of a topic.
- Yahoo
- Many topic areas in Yahoo have subheadings representing web sites on different sides of an issue. For instance, Firearms Policy has sublistings for Gun Control and Gun Rights. These web sites usually give information about the organization and often their viewpoints on issues. For comparative, factual information on specific organizations consult the directories below.
- Congressional Digest. Monthly.
Current Periodicals - This is indexed in the Expanded Academic Index ASAP database via Infotrac Web and in PAIS International database via FirstSearch.
- Editorials on File.
D410.E43x (Reference) - Editorials from newspapers across the country.
- Opposing Viewpoints Series.
H31.O666 (Reference) - Each volume covers a variety of issues from AIDS to media.
Biography
- LexisNexis Academic
- Use the biographical information section for access to articles and biographies. Includes various Who's Who directories as well.
- Gale's Literature Resources
- Provides access to biographies on various authors.
- Infotrac Web
- Provides access to Biography Resource Center with complete biographical and bibliographical information and references on approximately 100,000 U.S. and international authors. Also in the Expanded Academic ASAP file, biographical articles are available on authors and other individuals.
Statistics
- LexisNexis Statistical
- More find in-depth statistics on almost any subject.
- Statistical Abstract of the United States. Annual.
Information Desk1 HC202 - The first place to look for statistics. The printed edition is still the easiest to use.
- U.S. Census Bureau "The Official Statistics"
- Choose Subjects A to Z at the main screen for access to statistics on various topics.
Viewpoints: Legal | Medical | Psychological/Sociological | Other Legal - LexisNexis Academic
Choose the Legal News or Law Review sections.
West Law 
| Psychological/Sociological - PsycINFO PlusText via ProQuest
- PsycINFO PlusText provides abstracts and indexing for 1,500 key titles, with links to 300 titles in full text. Titles in full-text and image formats include the American Journal of Psychology, Educational Psychology, Journal of Marriage and Family, and Social Behavior and Personality. Our subscription covers PsycINFO from 1887 forward with most fulltext from the mid-1990s onward. PsycINFO is searched by itself because of its unique indexing.
- Databases on FirstSearch
- Try the SocAbs database.
| Medical - Health Reference Center
- Provides indexing and full-text articles plus excerpts from medical and health reference books, nutrition and fitness products.
- LexisNexis Academic
- Choose Medical section for news and articles.
- Databases on FirstSearch
- FirstSearch has a group of databases in the Medical and Health Sciences including: Aids/Cancer, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health), MDXHealth (Digest of medical and health information), and MEDLINE (Abstracted articles from medical journals).
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Other Viewpoints
including Bioethics, Business Ethics, Political, etc.
- Search the online library catalog for materials on these other viewpoints, choose search everything option to find appropriate materials. Sometimes a narrow topic may be treated in a chapter of a more general book. For example, a chapter on political ramifications of legalizing drug may be in a book on drug abuse. If your results are sparse, try a more general subject term or a synonym and watch for other related subject terms.
There may be a specific database that covers your topic area, feel free to ask a librarian for suggestions. Be sure to start with Infotrac Web's General Reference Center for magazine/journal articles on any topic.
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Organizations to Contact for Information
- Associations on the Net at the Internet Public Library
- Useful for tracking down very specialized associations or groups that may have useful insights or or information on your topic.
- Encyclopedia of Associations via LexisNexis.
Information Desk1 - If you don't find an associations with the Internet Public Library site listed above, check out this print directory. It lists over 20,000 regional, national, trade and other specific associations.
- Speak Out.
- Links to thousands of policy organizations, think tanks, advocacy groups, associations, foundations, and media organizations.
- Washington Information Directory. Annual
JK421.C6 (Reference) - Lists contact information for both government and lobbying organizations.
- International Information Directory. Annual
JX1905.5.C65 (Reference)
- Lists contact information for both government and lobbying organizations by topic area.
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