Finding Information Online for Reporting
The following are library databases that you can use to find electronic information for reporting. Many of the following are databases that can be accessed through the E-Resources Gateway on the UW Libraries home page and can be accessed both in the library and remotely from your own computer when you log in with your NetID. Some sources, including the government websites listed below are available on the free web.
Business Sources
- Lexis Nexis: Click on Business on the search bar to find company dossiers which contain current news, basic financial data, company execs and more.
- Hoover's: Use the Company or Industry search tabs to find information on either.
- S&P's Net Advantage: Use the Companies or Industries tabs to search for an in-depth company report or a profile of more 52 major industries.
- Other sources to try: Factiva, Regional Business News, and Global Market Information.
News Sources
- Lexis Nexis: Search the full text of hundreds of newspapers and magazines, or limit your search to a particular newspaper or subset of sources.
- Pro Quest Newspapers: Search articles from more than 500 national, international and local papers, with most archives dating to the early ‘90s.
- Factiva: A great source for business and financial news, but useful for all news topics. The News Pages tab shows the current top stories from several national papers and magazines.
- CQ Researcher and Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center: Both provide reports and news on current and hot-button issues, such as wounded veterans and the HPV vaccine.
- Ethnic News Watch: Search the full-text of more than 200 “ethnic, minority and native” publications. Searchable in English and Spanis
Politics and Government Sources
- Thomas: Information about members of Congress, treaties, presidential nominees, and about bills and resolutions. Search the Congressional Record to see the activities of any legsislator.
- World Factbook: Basic information, including government structure and members for most other countries.
- Hein Online (a collection of databases available on E-Resource Gateway): Hein publishes 14 databases of government publications and documents along with a host of other legal documents including the US Federal Register and Presidential Library.
- USA.gov: An extensive directory of information on the US, including a directory of federal, state and local government agencies.
- Wisconsin State Legislature: Search and track legislative activities.
Public Opinion and Statistics Sources
- US Census Bureau:A gateway to statistical information on the Unites States. Includes links to the following resources:
- Statistical Abstract: A collection of statistics on the US from both private and federal agencies. You can search the abstract or browse the table of available data.
- State and Country Quick Facts: Browse basic geography, population and business facts from any state or county.
- FedStats: Links to statistics compiled by federal agencies, arranged by subject, or searchable. Also includes links to the agencies themselves.
- WisStat:Using data from the Applied Population Laboratory (UW-Extension) build a profile of any Wisconsin county or metropolitan area. Or use the pre-made profiles to easily access stats.
- Polling the Nations: A database of polling data from 1986 covering the US and the world. Choose a subject from drop down menus or search for a topic, then export the questions to view results.
Expert Resources
The UW has a list of experts who have agreed to serve as media contacts for selected subjects. Search the database for an expert on a topic or search by name.