SIRS Researcher

What is SIRS?

(Social Issues Resources Series) A line of focused, specially constructed online research databases.

• Materials selected from over 2000 sources

• All articles are hand selected

• Manual indexing and summary writing

• Focus is key issues and topics

• Primary audience is K-12 but can have broad application

How are SIRS Materials Selected?

SIRS database content is selected by a staff of over 40 professionals with diverse educational backgrounds---many with advanced degrees in Economics, English, Religion, History, Political Science, Sociology, Business, Education, Journalism, and Library Science.

Selection Criteria:

•Well-documented information•The latest information on ever-changing fields•Issues of both local and global importance•A wide variety of viewpoints•Graphics that help clarify information•Materials that are clear, comprehensive, reliable, and relevant•Non-duplicative materials

SIRS Researcher“The Flagship of the SIRS Database Titles”SIRS Researcher unlocks the door to key resources that highlight:

– Social Issues– Science– Health– History– Economics– World Affairs

SIRS Researcher – Search Capabilities

Focused search options, provide easy access to the materials students need.

Subject search provides targeted results, hand selected and indexed to Library of Congress terms.

SIRS Researcher – Pro/Con Leading Issues

‘Top 10’ based on actual usage

Nearly 100 issues continuously updated from a selection of more than 1600 sources.

Supports common assignments from current

events research to position papers and debates.

Concise overview helps students understand the issue.

Suggested keywords and ‘See’ references

Results represent the full “360 degrees” of the issue including: Primary Sources, Viewpoint Articles, Graphics and Websites.

Pro and Con arguments are defined with references to 3-4 Inline links for each side providing for a balanced approach.

Printable PDF Research Guide, provides a ready-made, take home study packet for the issue.

Viewpoints tab expands upon the highlighted articles to reference many more continuously updated articles from a wide variety of sources.

Downloadable Guides suggest output formats to

help students to synthesize the information.

Research prompts help students develop critical thinking skills.

Aligns to Information Literacy standards.

– That’s Debatable Interactive Poll engages students in the debate and vests them in the research process.

– Current Events coverage with Today’s News from Reuters, Focus on Terrorism and more!

– Curriculum Planning features, like Spotlight and Challenge Quest provide pathfinders and suggested research topics.

– Common Class Assignments are supported with the World Almanac and hundreds of Political, Outline and Historical Maps

SIRS Researcher – Additional Content

Expanded Curriculum Features:

SIRS Researcher – Resources & ToolsToolbox – Help, Search Tips, How to Cite and more are always at your fingertips.

My Research – Tag and save your selections and search history for 30 days to continue researching at school or at home. E-mail yourself the full text, graphics, or create a bibliography from your saved items.

SIRS Researcher – Supports Curriculum

•NEW: Search content by state or national curriculum standards

•Search or sort by Lexile Score

•Educators’ Resources include: Educators’ Guides, Search Strategies, E-mail Newsletters, and more!