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  • Academic help!

    I'm cross-posting this onto Fratching as well since the particular area I'm asking help for in one of my essays is somewhat controversial.

    Short version: one of my topics this semester covers Canadian, Australian and American politics. I have 2 essays and 2 short tutorial presentations for class. My essays are covering gay marriage (short essay) and possibly voting systems (long essay). My tutorial presentations are covering diversity (both weeks).

    What I am after is reliable websites on statistical data, electoral information, reliable newspapers (my prof recommends NY times and washington post (?) and Toronto Globe/Mail for Canada) and so forth. (I'll specify the controversial stuff on Fratching). Is anyone able to help me please? I would plug it into Google but I'm not 100% sure what would accurately count. I need FEDERAL stuff in both cases please, not state/provincial.
    Last edited by fireheart; 07-29-2011, 04:08 PM.
    The best professors are mad scientists! -Zoom

    Now queen of USSR-Land...

  • #2
    Five Thirty Eight started as their own website but are now part of New York Times. They write about politics using stats, and even if you don't see your topic in their recent articles, you can get an idea of what the reliable political polling systems are in the US (Gallup, for example).

    Edit: Don't get discouraged by the mad amount of debt ceiling stuff. For example, check out this article, for instance. Look at the linked stuff for more details and the actual polls.

    Also, I'm not sure what your current plan for your topic is, but gay marriage is mostly a state issue right now, not a national one. We might talk about it on CNN but changes to laws are on a state level.
    Last edited by trailerparkmedic; 07-29-2011, 04:52 PM.

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    • #3
      CIA World fact book: https://www.cia.gov/library/publicat...orld-factbook/
      http://www.economist.com/


      For Canada specific, MacCleans magazine is pretty good (http://www2.macleans.ca) - farily neutral in terms of bias.
      There's no such thing as a stupid question... just stupid people.

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      • #4
        As for newspapers, NY Times is probably one of your best newspaper sources, so your prof's got that one down. You'll likely have to register for the site to read much on it, but if it's for school, it may be worth it. I'm not as familiar with the Washington Post, unfortunately.

        And trailerparkmedic is right about gay marriage. It's currently handled on a state level, and I don't know of any cases that have been taken to the federal level (i.e. Supreme Court, Congress, whatever) yet.
        "Enough expository banter. It's time we fight like men. And ladies. And ladies who dress like men. For Gilgamesh...IT'S MORPHING TIME!"
        - Gilgamesh, Final Fantasy V

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        • #5
          Check with your University library. Any decent institution should have free access for students to tons of online newspaper and journal databases that link to articles. You should probably be able to get help from the librarians there to if you're not certain if your uni has such a thing.

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          • #6
            Quoth Chanlin View Post
            Check with your University library. Any decent institution should have free access for students to tons of online newspaper and journal databases that link to articles. You should probably be able to get help from the librarians there to if you're not certain if your uni has such a thing.
            Oh, yes, this. I think Hubby gets his free access to the NY Times and the OED through the university, but a lot of public libraries will have the same service.
            "Enough expository banter. It's time we fight like men. And ladies. And ladies who dress like men. For Gilgamesh...IT'S MORPHING TIME!"
            - Gilgamesh, Final Fantasy V

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            • #7
              Washington Post is good, but you have to be a member to get anything of use out of it. (yay for my poli sci courses >.< However, it is a free sign-in...you just have to be signed in.) Organization websites are good, but if you're debating for one side of an argument, be sure to check anti-organization websites to one) see what facts stay the same and 2) know what arguments you're actually arguing against. I"m sure you can find essays by the ton on most of your topics.
              My NaNo page

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              • #8
                Is there a website for census data for the US and Canada?

                Thanks so far guys. Can anyone recommend good columnists?
                The best professors are mad scientists! -Zoom

                Now queen of USSR-Land...

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                • #9
                  Canada's latest census results can be found at www.statcan.gc.ca, the Toronto star, which is a decent newspaper is available free online at www.thestar.ca.

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                  • #10
                    US census data: http://www.census.gov/
                    My NaNo page

                    My author blog

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                    • #11
                      Washington Post is a very reliable newspaper, as is the New York Times.

                      Quoth trailerparkmedic View Post
                      Also, I'm not sure what your current plan for your topic is, but gay marriage is mostly a state issue right now, not a national one. We might talk about it on CNN but changes to laws are on a state level.
                      Not quite. Fireheart, look up the Defense of Marriage Act of 1996.

                      Quoth fireheart View Post
                      Is there a website for census data for the US and Canada?

                      Thanks so far guys. Can anyone recommend good columnists?
                      Columnists verge into the realm of personal opinion. Informed opinion usually, but opinion still.

                      Many columnists (not reporters or journalists) veer widely to one side of the political spectrum or the other. A few are fairly middle of the road . . . but ones interpretation of that can differ depends on ones own politics.
                      Last edited by Peppergirl; 08-01-2011, 07:12 AM. Reason: merged
                      They say that God only gives us what we can handle. Apparently, God thinks I'm a bad ass.

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                      • #12
                        She mentioned DOMA over in Fratching. But if arguing over whether it's state or federal concern, I'd look into the Constitution and the Bill of Rights as primary documents. Look particularly to the 10th amendment.
                        My NaNo page

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                        • #13
                          Australian Electoral Commission


                          Australian Bureau of Statistics (which includes our census data)
                          Seshat's self-help guide:
                          1. Would you rather be right, or get the result you want?
                          2. If you're consistently getting results you don't want, change what you do.
                          3. Deal with the situation you have now, however it occurred.
                          4. Accept the consequences of your decisions.

                          "All I want is a pretty girl, a decent meal, and the right to shoot lightning at fools." - Anders, Dragon Age.

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