What is the CQ Researcher?
The CQ Researcher is a database of lengthy articles designed to help students find current, objective information about controversial topics. Use this file as a starting point for both topic selection and research. Each lengthy issue covers only one subject thoroughly and includes summaries of the topic, background information, pro and con arguments and helpful bibliographies.

Where Do I Find the CQ Researcher
1. Go to the Libraries' Web Page www.montgomerycollege.edu/library/

2. Look for the Articles, Databases and More section in the middle of the screen.

3. Select either the On Campus or From Home or Work link as appropriate.

4. Scroll down the database until you see the link for CQ Researcher on the left of the screen and click on it.

How Can the CQ Researcher Help Me Select a Topic?
1. Click on "Browse by Topic" located in the blue bar on the left of the screen.

2. Click on one of the letters in the alphabetical list.

3. Click on an interesting topic.

4. Click on the title of one of the reports of interest to you.

How Do I Search CQ Researcher?
1. Use the "Quick Search" box located in the blue bar on the left of the screen.

2. Type a couple of words describing a topic of interest to you, and click on "Go."

3. When you use "Quick Search," keep your searches simple.

4. If a "Quick Search" is unsuccessful, click on "Advanced Search" located in the blue bar on the left of the screen.

5. You will see a narrow rectangular search box below the words "Enter words or phrases." Type search terms in that box.

6. Below the box, you will see three radio buttons. These buttons tell CQ Researcher what part of the database to search. If a search retrieves too many results, click the "Report Titles Only" button, and repeat the search. You should find fewer and more relevant records.

7. If you scroll down the advanced search screen, you will see that by checking the appropriate boxes you may limit your search to certain parts of a CQ Researcher report.

8. CQ Researcher uses these search conventions:

a. Use either "and" or a blank space to find one word with another word.

children and divorce

b. To find either one word or another word, use "or." Do not use parentheses.

Bush or Kerry

c. To find singulars or plurals use the * as a wild card.

work*

d. To find words in an exact sequence, use quotation marks.

"united states"

How is the CQ Researcher Arranged?
When you select a CQ Researcher report, you will find that each issue is divided into several sections. The sections are listed on a gray bar at the top of the screen. Click on the section name and the computer will take you directly to that section.

1. Full Report--if you want to print or e-mail the entire issue, be sure to click on Full Report.
2. Abstract--appears when you open an issue and summarizes it.
3. Overview--a substantial introduction to the subject.
4. Background--discusses the history of the controversy.
5. Current Situation--detailed analysis of the problem.
6. Outlook--possible future implications.
7. Special Focus--useful, brief related articles.
8. Pro/Con--arguments from opposing sides of a controversy.
9. Next Step--lists of resources for more information on a subject.
10. Contacts--addresses, phone numbers and Web sites of relevant organizations.

How Do I Print or E-mail Reports?
1. You may print or e-mail full reports or portions of reports.

2. To print the full report, click on "Select Full Report" in the grey bar at the top of the screen.

3. To e-mail the full report click on the E-mail Report Icon, fill out the appropriate boxes, and click on send.

4. To print a section of the report, click on the title of the section in the grey bar at the top of the screen, and click the print icon. To e-mail a section, click on the e-mail section icon, fill out the appropriate boxes, and click on send.

L/A 511