SIRS Issues Researcher: Analysis and Classroom Connections

SIRS Issues Researcher is an excellent resource for argument research as the site

addresses a range of controversial subjects that are relevant to K-12 students. The Common Core

requires teachers to instruct secondary students on the effective use of argument writing. Thus,

this specific site is valuable to students who fish the internet ocean looking for usable material

when databases like SIRS lead one to a virtual pond of quality sources that perpetuate focused

searching. When utilized effectively, SIRS presents pertinent information to the user. However,

locating the site’s quality sources correlates to the quality and specificity of one’s input.

Therefore, it’s helpful to learn how to implement basic search strategies and use tools efficiently

in order to save time and confusion. With practice, students and educators will learn effective

SIRS research strategies that will transcend assigned tasks.

When one opens the SIRS Issues Researcher database, a menu bar appears near the top,

along with a search engine drop-down list of more than 300 A-Z argument topics. Initially, users

may perform simple subject or keyword searches or select from the drop menu options. The

quick search page provides a unique feature—clickable Top Ten issues, so users may locate

timely information that is applicable to their needs. The advanced search bar includes Title,

Subject, and Author choices, and provides Boolean search connectors. Features include

proximity, caption, and truncation operators, so students may delve more deeply into subject

matter, such as comparing and contrasting similar issues or excluding specific information from

a more general topic. These features also include sorting capabilities for relevance, date, and

lexile. The advanced tools encourage beginners to use critical thinking skills prior to research,

and allow seasoned users to explore topics more fully. The advanced options streamline the

research process and perpetuate further learning.

The Topic Browser (Groups) leads users to general subject categories, such as science,

human relations, family matters, and global issues. This feature is helpful to those looking for

topic ideas, and may assist users in narrowing options. The Database Features option includes

unique items and links to maps, almanacs, Common Core Guides, news, and other materials that

may be pertinent to chosen topics. The student blog offers additional material, ideas, and

responses from others who have traversed the database. Moreover, the site includes an

Educators’ menu option near the top, so teachers may incorporate lessons structured around

SIRS elements. Educators’ information includes information literacy instructional materials that

are useful to school librarians.

When browsing the database, one may utilize the advanced search option, wherein a user

will type in a request that links specific subjects, such as texting AND driving. This can be done

in one search box or by layering searches while selecting the appropriate operators. If researchers

want specific data or statistics about the combined topics, they may add another term to the

search. For example, one may type in texting AND driving AND risk. The additional truncation

(asterisk) feature locates search terms with plurals, like risks or dangers. Subsequent search

boxes may be utilized for each of these purposes, or one may use the asterisk for truncation and

parentheses to group search items on a single line: (“danger*” or “risk*”) and (“texting” and

“driving”). This narrows the initial search, and will locate items based on a user’s request—the

risks or dangers associated with texting and driving. These advanced techniques take practice but

reap immediate benefits when utilized effectively. While performing the example search, the

results provided specific, usable information that was pertinent and provided quality, timely

resources. Example results:

All Source Types: 860

Newspapers: 786

Magazines: 68

Reference: 11

Graphics/Multimedia: 2

SIRS’ overall results are displayed to the left, while users access the clickable full-text

articles (and editorial summaries), multi-media, websites, and newspapers to the right. Like the

example above, the Results Table includes the total number of resources found, along with a

breakdown of information types. After locating selected materials, one may save choices to a

folder for future study. Selected sources offer pros, cons, debates, and opinions on subjects, and

include relevant statistics, studies, and other focused research findings. Content targets

newspapers, magazine articles, charts and graphs, maps, documents, websites, multi-media, and

primary sources—all of which provide learners with understanding of research topics. Additional

special features offer Statistics and Global Impact sections, so students can build upon new

knowledge and connect to an issue’s greater implications.

It is evident that SIRS Issues Researcher is a valuable database for students as they

explore argument topics. Learning about such topics propels critical thinking and assists students

in identity formation and literacy skills development. Thus, the site is an excellent addition to a

librarian’s instructional collection, as SIRS Issues Researcher provides useful information that

reaps lasting educational benefits.

SIRS Issues Researcher in the Classroom

To teach SIRS Issues Researcher effectively to ninth grade students, I will utilize the

computer lab so each may explore the database and its many offerings. However, before students

log on, I will utilize the Smart Board to take them on a virtual tour of the site that can be

accessed at www.pioneer.uen.org from our school network. I will explore and model main menu

items and their inherent uses via the display computer and briefly describe each of the primary

selections. Then I will address additional features on the main page, such as the Top Ten Issues

for current debate. I will guide them to the student section and blog, so they may see the

relevance the site holds for them and their age groups. Afterward, I will access the drop-down

menu on the initial page and show them the abundance of resources within the database.

After students have accompanied me on a brief virtual tour of the primary options within

the site, I will take them to the advanced search option and demonstrate how to access specific

information. I will explain the difference of searching vast offerings of the internet vs. focused

searching within an argument database—the ocean vs. pond metaphor. I will model basic and

advanced search strategies by utilizing phrases associated with dangers or risks of texting and

driving. I’ll show them the Title, Subject, and Author choices that accompany searches, and how

Boolean operators combine subjects (texting AND driving) to locate materials that include both

options. I will demonstrate how to limit further results by adding danger or risk, to the first

combination, and explain the importance of truncation to locate plural examples of the same

search—as in the case of risk* and danger*.

Finally, I will reveal the results of the example search and discuss the categories of

information. I will select a results article or other resource from the table to read aloud, and will

ask questions about the relevancy of information to the advanced search. I will then show them

how they can select and save specific resources by placing them in a folder for future use. At this

point, students may log on and browse the site independently for future argument topic ideas. I

will challenge them to find features within the site that were not addressed and to share them

with the class. I will also create follow-up assignments that utilize the site, so students will

practice the strategies modeled. Through this process and subsequent practice, students will gain

foundational knowledge of SIRS Issues Researcher and discover the benefits the site offers them

for argument writing.