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SCI 105 Stave: Pro & con - controversial issues

This guide supports your annotated bibliography project - mitigating climate change

Finding both sides

Sometimes it is difficult to find both sides of an argument. Here are some tips to use when you are searching databases. Try adding (usually one at a time, or separated by "OR") the words or phrases listed below. Some will be more useful than others depending on your topic. Try to imagine how authors might discuss the concept you are researching.

Pro Con
proponents opposed OR opponents OR opposition
advocates critics OR criticism
support OR supporters resistance OR resistors
defenders enemies
sponsors  damage OR costs OR burden
positive OR "positive effects" negative OR "negative effects"
benefits dangers


Here's an example of a search you might use in ProQuest if you were having trouble finding articles opposed to beauty contests:

  Screenshot of "con" keywords in database search

Liberal vs. conservative sources

Liberal & Conservative Think Tanks

Here are a few magazines (all available through our periodical databases) and think tanks that consistently promote traditional conservative or liberal views.

"Liberal" magazines:
"Conservative" magazines:
"Liberal" think tanks:
"Conservative" think tanks:

Need more sources along the liberal/conservative spectrum? See below:

CQ Researcher

Reports in the CQ Researcher database include a pro/con section. Two authors will debate one small question related to the larger topic.

Sample "Pro/Con" section in a CQ Research report:

Pro/con section in CQ Researcher report

Search the CQ Researcher database:

Useful websites for controversial topics

Useful Websites

Here are some web sites that might help with controversial issues

Find pro/con articles in library databases

Finding Pro/Con Articles in the Library's Databases

Pro/Con articles provide different perspectives and opinions on current and often controversial issues. Newspapers, for example, are a great place to find pro/con views through opinion-type articles such as editorials, columns, or letters to the editor. Databases like Proquest and New York Times provide these types of newspaper articles. 

Also, some databases, like Points of View Reference Center and CQ Researcher explore current issues and include differing pro/con stances.

Try searching these databases below:

Keywords for pro and con

Sometimes it is difficult to find both sides of an argument, or opposing viewpoints on a topic.  Here are some keywords to think about using when you are searching databases. Try adding (usually one at a time, or separated by "OR") the words or phrases listed below. Some keywords be more useful than others depending on your topic. Try to imagine how authors might discuss the concept you are researching and what words they might use to describe support for or against it.

Keywords for PRO side:

  • benefits
  • proponents
  • advocates
  • support OR supporters
  • defenders
  • sponsors
  • positive OR "positive effects"

Keywords for CON side:

  • opposed OR opponents OR oposition
  • critics OR criticism
  • debate
  • controversy
  • resistance OR resistors
  • enemies
  • damage
  • problems
  • negative OR "negative effects"

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