SIRS Issues Researcher offers balanced content selections from more than 2,000 international sources. Analysis and opinions cover the pros, cons, and everything in between of 360+ social, scientific, health, historic, economic, and political issues. See Leading Issues list.

Target Audience:  Grades 9-12

Content Connections:  All

Access: Username and password information for BCPS staff and students can be found on the BCPS Digital Content Access Page. 

⭐Click here to see a list of translation, accommodation, and modification features available for Multilingual Learners and students with special education needs.⭐

Tutorials and Guides

• SIRS Issues Researcher Guide

• SIRS Issues Researcher Overview Video

• SIRS Issues Researcher (PPT)- Use this presentation to learn and teach about the newly designed Issues Researcher.

• NoodleTools Citation Export for SIRS Issues Researcher

Educator Resources

• In SIRS Issues Researcher, select the Educator Resources link at the top right of the screen to access curriculum standards correlations, the SIRS Issues Researcher LibGuide, or switch from the Guided Research Platform to the ProQuest academic platform. 

• Dictionary/Thesaurus:  Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary and Thesaurus are available to assist users in defining words, checking spelling, choosing the perfect word and more.

• Read Aloud feature

• Translation

• Pre-formatted citations. New October 2020- Select "Cite: from the sidebar and select "Send Citation to NoodleTools". Students should access NoodleTools from Instructional Tools before using this option.

• Lexile scores labeled at top of article. Use Advanced Search to narrow by Lexile Range.

  • Use this Reading Level Correlations chart to match Lexile to grade level.