Best Bets for Starting Your Research in...

:: Politics ::

Use databases to find articles on your topic. These databases are the best place to start.

• Social Sciences Full Text
  

  Full-text articles on the literature of anthropology, economics, geography, law and criminology, political science, social work, and sociology.
  Date Coverage: 1983 to present.

• CQ Researcher
  

  The award-winning CQ Researcher explores a single "hot" issue in the news in depth each week. Topics range from social and teen issues to environment, health, education, and science and technology. There are 44 reports produced each year including four expanded reports.
  Date Coverage: 1991 - Present

• America: History and Life
  Covers the history and culture of the U.S. and Canada from prehistoric times to the present.
  Date coverage: 1964-present.
  
  
• Historical Abstracts
  Citations and abstracts to the history of the world from 1450 to the present, except U.S. and Canada.
  Date Coverage: 1954-present.
  
  
• Expanded Academic ASAP
  Contains scholarly and general publications covering all academic disciplines.
  50% full text.
  Date coverage: 1980-present.
  

Tips: When searching databases, use AND, OR, and parentheses to focus your search. Combine synonyms with OR and put them inside parentheses.

The asterisk * symbol will search for all variations of a word. For example: president* will search for presidents and presidential. Using quotes will search for a phrase.

("health care" OR "medical care") AND (law* OR bill*)

Here's another example:

(ballot* OR election*) AND ("electronic voting machines")

Already have the citation? Find an article with citation linker!

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Find books using the library catalog. Browse these subjects to get general information on your topic.

1. Politics and culture
2. Politics and education
3. Politics and war
4. Politics and literature
5. Politics, practical

Search the library catalog! Find books, media materials, and more.

Other searches:
Browse | Advanced Search

Tips: When searching the library catalog with keywords, use the dollar sign ($) to search for a word and all of its variations.

For example: politic$ will search for politics, political, etc.

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Reference tools such as dictionaries and encyclopedias are good places to start your research because they provide an overview of the topic as well as keywords, dates, and facts.

Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, and Handbooks

• Encyclopedia of World Political Systems
  Ref. JF51 .D465 2000
  Describes systems of government from throughout the world, relates them to unique social and economic influences, identifies particular features common to all or most, and makes objective comparisons.

• Encyclopedia of American Political History
  Ref. E183 .E48 2001
  The Encyclopedia of American Political History is a reference book with more than 240 essays, written by academic and independent scholars, that provides speedy access to key topics in American political history. Coverage is broad and focuses on major events, key political leaders, concepts, and critical issues that have shaped the American political landscape.

• Almanac of American Politics
  Ref. JK271.A55 2006
  Profiles of every governor and member of Congress. Includes district maps, campaign expenditures, voting records, census data and more.
  Published yearly.
  
  

• The Oxford Companion to Politics of the World
  Ref. JA61 .O95 2001
  Covers people, political concepts, forms of government, organizations, events, and issues related to world politics.

• Congressional Quarterly Almanac Plus
  Ref. JK1 .C66 2005
  Beginning with the first session of the 79th Congress in 1945, CQ has produced an annual account of the major legislative action in each session of Congress. Now includes analytical essays

Tips: Try looking at the bibliography at the end of the entry for a list of other sources such as relevant journal articles and books.

When you have found books on your topic, look at the books on the shelf nearby to see if they are related to your topic.

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These web sites have been evaluated by librarians (that's a good thing) for your use in an academic setting.

• THOMAS - Legislative Information on the Internet
  

  http://thomas.loc.gov
  The leadership of the 104th Congress directed the Library of Congress to make federal legislative information freely available to the public. Now, THOMAS includes information on: bills & resolutions, activity in Congress, Congressional Record, schedules & calendars, committee information, presidential nominations, treaties, government resources, and more.

• FIRSTGOV - The U.S. Government's Official Web Portal
  http://www.usa.gov
  
  
• GPO Access: Official Federal Government at Your Fingertips
  http://www.gpoaccess.gov/
  Official information from all branches of government.
  
  

• EuroDocs: Primary Historical Documents from Western Europe
  http://eudocs.lib.byu.edu/index.php/Main_Page
  Links to Western European (mainly primary) historical documents that are transcribed, reproduced in facsimile, or translated.

• Open Secrets
  http://www.opensecrets.org/
  The Center for Responsive Politics is a non-partisan, non-profit research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics, and its effect on elections and public policy. The Center conducts computer-based research on campaign finance issues for the news media, academics, activists, and the public at large.

Tips: Any web site can be changed without notice, so be sure to evaluate every site you use.

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Use these e-learning modules to get quick answers!

• Find a video/DVD in the catalog
• Find an e-book in the catalog
• Generate a bibliography automatically using RefWorks
  • RefWorks import/export directions
  • RefWorks login information
  • Refworks tutorial

Still have questions?

• Get help 24/7
  • Via web chat at http://www.fairfield.edu/lib_askalibrarian.html

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