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HRC 200: Introduction to Social and Cultural Analysis

A guide for Dr. Elenes' Fall 2018 HRC 200.

Finding Special Interest Organizations

Using Resources from the Web

Many special interest organizations and nonprofits publish research and position papers on all kinds of social, political and cultural issues.  These can be valuable sources of information for researchers as long as you recognize that these organizations are usually created to promote their ideas and positions. 

As a researcher, you must carefully evaluate each organization to determine what their interests are, what they have been created to promote, what their political stance may be, and who produces and funds the organizations.  

For example, search through any web search engine for border wall, site:.org and see what you retrieve.  

The United States government also publishes online research reports and position papers produced by the countless number of government agencies in existence.  State and local governments do the same.

Search for border wall, site:.gov.  At first you retrieve documents from Federal Government agencies, then as you browse forward you will find statements from politicians, bills introduced in Congress, and state and local statements and positions.  

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