Information Sources in Political Science

I. Books and Audiovisuals II Periodical Resources A. Electronic Indexes and Full-Text Collections B. Print Indexes and Bibliographies III. Reference Materials A. Dictionaries B. Encyclopedias C. Other Reference Sources IV. Government Publications V. Web Resources VI. Course Information VII. Help from the Library I. Books & Audiovisuals Use tomCat (the U of M Library catalog). For subject searches, use Library of Congress Subject Headings such as comparative government or mexico politics and government. (LC Subject Headings volumes are available in Reference.) Also try searching by keywords such as mexico politics or latin america united states relations. (Leave out words like in, of, on, and the; AND is assumed between words). Locate video tapes by using the word "videorecording"as a keyword; e.g., united states presidents videorecording Copy the call number from the catalog record to find the book. (See How to Find Books.) netLibrary [UM Only] A collection of over 46,000 electronic books in various disciplines. Some of these items may be available in print as well as electronically. II. Periodical Resources A. Electronic Indexes and Full-Text Collections Use an electronic database. These are recommended. Other periodical databases are listed on Periodical Databases by Adademic Area. For help finding articles try How to Find Articles in Periodicals and refer to How to find Print Periodicals for help locating the articles you've found. If the periodical is available electronically, you will find a link to it from the electronic journals list. AHSearch (journals, 1980-) [UM Only] Records referencing many of the world's leading arts and humanities journals. AltPressIndex [UM Only] Indexes journals covering cultural, economic, political and social change. Contemporary Women's Issues (1992 - ) [UM Only] Provides full text access to articles in 1500 journals, newsletters, research reports and fact sheets containing information on women in over 150 counrtries. CQ Press The CQ Researcher provides reports covering current controversial topics from the news. Fact Search (1984 - ) [UM Only] A guide to statistical statements on current social, economic, political, environmental and health issues, derived from some newspapers, periodicals, newsletter and documents such as the Christian Science Monitor, the Congressional Record, Congressional hearings, Daily Press Briefings of the White House, State Department and Department of Defense, and Australian, British and Canadian Parliamentary Debates. Includes abstracts. Project Muse (Full-text) [UM Only] Provides electronic full text of more than 200 scholarly journals in arts and humanities, social sciences, and mathematics. Social Sciences Full Text (citations, abstracts, full text).[UM Only] Part of Wilson Omni File Mega. Indexes and in many cases provides full text for periodicals in a wide variety of fields. Coverage: citations & abstracts, 1983- ; full text, 1995- Other Databases: These databases provide coverage on a wide range of subjects and may be useful in your research. Electronic Journals Service (EJS) [UM Only] Electronic journals service available through a common interface for online journal subscriptions. Search, browse, and identify journals and articles available online in either full-text or table-of-content format. Hyperlinks are provided to more than 1,300 electronic journals worldwide. Expanded Academic Index (1980-) [UM Only] Indexes about 1,900 magazines, journals, and the NY Times newspaper. Most have abstracts, and about 900 are full text. IngentaConnect [Open Access] Formerly Uncover. Browse the publication list or search tables of contents to over 17,000 periodicals; period of coverage varies. Provides document delivery service. JSTOR [UM Only] The JSTOR database consists of complete backfiles of core scholarly journals which have been digitized, starting with the very first issues. Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe [UM Only] Provides full text of many magazines and newspapers, including The Commercial Appeal since 1990. Oxford Reference Online [UM Only] The Oxford Reference Online Premium collection is an online collection of dictionaries and encyclopedias in many fields including: art & architecture, bilingual dictionaries, biological science, classics, computing, earth & environmental sciences, economics & business, English dictionaries and thesauruses, English language reference, food & drink, history, law, literature, maps & illustrations, military history, mythology & folklore, names & places, performing arts, physical sciences & mathematics, politics & social sciences, quotations, religion & philosophy, and science. PowerSearch [UM Only] Searches the 12 InfoTrac databases simultaneously. Wilson Omnifile Mega Full Text [UM Only] Provides access to eleven databases: Education , General Science , Humanities , Readers' Guide , Social Sciences, Wilson Business , Art, Applied Science & Technology, Index to Legal Periodicals, Library Literature & Information Science, Biological & Agricultural. Search databases individually, in selected groups, or all at once. WorldCat [UM Only] Records of any type of material cataloged by OCLC member libraries, including books, periodicals, audiovisual materials, and websites. Contains manuscripts written as early as the 12th century. B. Print Indexes and Bibliographies ABC Pol SCI (1969-) [Reference Abstract Shelves] Criminal Justice Abstracts (1977-) [Reference Abstract Shelves] Criminology, Penology and Police Science Abstracts (1961-1997) [Reference Abstract Shelves] Current Contents: Social and Behavioral Sciences (last 2 years) [Reference Abstract Shelves] PAIS International (1915-) [Reference Index Tables] - Indexes not only selected articles from approximtely 1600 periodicals, but also books and publications from the U.S. government and international organizations. Covers current events and issues, including economic and social conditions. Oriented toward public policy issues and emphasizes factual and statistical information. Psychological Abstracts (1927-) [Reference Abstract Shelves] Readers’ Guide to Periodical Literature (1890-2000) [Reference Index Tables] Social Sciences Citation Index (1969 - ) [ReferenceIndex Tables] Social Sciences Index (1965-96) [Reference Index Tables] Sociological Abstracts [Reference Abstract Shelves] Sociological Aspects of Poverty: A Bibliography [Ref Z7164.C4C43] Urban Studies Abstracts (1973-) [Reference Abstract Shelves] III. Reference Materials A. Dictionaries Dictionary of International Human Rights Law [Ref K3239.3.G53 1996] The International Relations Dictionary [Ref JX1226.P55] Nations Without States:A Historical Dictionary of Contemporary National Movements [Ref D860.M56 1996] B. Encyclopedias Encyclopaedia Britannica Book of the Year [Reference Shelf 15] Encyclopedia of American Foreign Policy (3 vols.)[Ref JX1407.E53] Encyclopedia of the American Legislative System (3 vols.) [Ref JF501.E53 1994] Encyclopedia of American Parties, Campaigns and Elections [Ref JK9.B56 1999] Encyclopedia of American Religion and Politics [Ref BL2525.D58 2003] Encyclopedia of Conflicts Since World War II (4 vols.) [Ref D843.E46 1999] Encyclopedia of Democracy (4 vols.) [Ref JC423.E53 1995] Encyclopedia of Interest Groups and Lobbyists in the United States (2vols.) [Ref JK1118.N47 2000] Encylopedia of Multicultural America [Reference Desk E184.A1 G15 1999] Encyclopedia of Political Revolution [Ref JC491.E63 1998] Encyclopedia of the American Left [Ref HX86.E58 1998] Encyclopedia of the American Presidency (4 vols.)[Ref JK511.E53 1994] Encyclopedia of the Democratic Party (6 vols.) [Ref JK2352.E562 2002] Encyclopedia of the Republican Party (4 vols.) [Ref JK2352.E56 1997] Encyclopedia of Third Parties in America [Ref JK2261.E464 2000] Encyclopedia of World Political Systems (2 vols) [Ref JF51.D465 2000] Encyclopedia of U.S. Foreign Relations (4 vols.)[Ref E183.7.E53 1997] International Encyclopedia of Public Policy and Administration (4 vols.) [Ref H97.I574 1998] Taylor's Encyclopedia of Government Officials: Federal and State (19 vols.)[Ref JK6.T36] - Shelved with loose-leaf companion volume for updates. World Encyclopedia of Cities (2 vols.)[Ref HT108.5.K87] World Encyclopedia of Parliaments and Legislatures (2 vols) [Ref JF511.W67 1998] C. Other Almanac of American Politics [Ref JK1012.A44 2002] America at the Polls: Kennedy to Clinton [Ref JK524.M33 1998] America Votes: A Handbook of Contemporary American Election Statistics (25 vols.)[Ref JK1967.A8] The Blackwell Companion to Politics of the World [Ref JA61.B57 1987] Civil Rights in America: 1500 to the Present [Ref JC599.U5S53 1998] Congressional Directory [Ref JK1011.] Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation [Ref JK14 1964] Constitutions of the Countries of the World (20 vols.)[Reference K B646] CQ Researcher [Last 3 years at Reference Desk; older volumes on abstract shelves] - Available online. CultureGrams (4 vols.) [Reference Desk HM258.C85x] Demographics USA (Sales & Marketing Magazine's Survey of Buying Power cumulated data) City Edition [Ref HF5415.3.D46; latest edition at Reference Desk] County Edition [Ref HF5415.2.S94; latest edition at Reference Desk] Zip Edition [Ref HF5415.3.D463; latest edition at Reference Desk] Gale Virtual Reference Library - Searches the following Gale publications: Gale Encyclopedia of E-Commerce, Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America, and Europa World Year Book (2 vols.)[Ref JN1.E85] Famous First Facts About American Politics [Ref E183.A64 2001] Gallup Poll Monthly[Reference Abstract Shelves] The Gallup Poll: Public Opinion (annual volumes, 1935-1993) [Ref HN90.P8 G3] Great American Court Cases (4 vols.) [Ref KF385.A4 G68 1999] Guide to Congress [Ref JK1021.C56 1976a] A History of NATO: The First Fifty Years (3 vols.) [Ref UA646.3.H56 2001] Illustrated Great Decisions of the Supreme Court [Ref KF4549.M334 2000] The Oxford Companion to Politics of the World [Ref JA61.O95 1993] Political Handbook of the World [Ref JF37.P6 2000-02] Politics in America [Ref JK1012.P64 1994] The Presidents: A Reference History [Ref E176.1.P918 1996] The Reader's Companion to the American Presidency [Ref E176.1.R295 2000] Running for President: The Candidates and Their Images (2vols.)[Ref E183.R96 1994] Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States: Documents, Data, and Analysis [Ref DK1.5.R876 1997] The Statesman’s Year-Book [Most recent at Reference Desk - JA51.57] Statistical Abstract of the United States [Most recent at Reference Desk - HA202.A3] United States Presidental Primary Elections 1968-1996: A Handbook of Election Statistics [Ref JK522.C66 2000] Women in Modern American Politics: A Bibliography 1900-1995 [Ref Z7963.P64 C69 1997] The World Directory of Diplomatic Representation [Ref JX1625.W67] Worldmark Yearbook 2000 (3 vols.) [Ref G103.5.W67x 2000] Yearbook of International Organizations (3 vols)[Ref JX1904.A42 2000/2001] Yearbook of the United Nations, 1996 [Ref JX1977.A37 Y4] IV. Government Publications Publications related to political science issued by federal and Tennessee state agencies are available online and in the Government Publications Department on the first floor of McWherter Library. Staff in the department will assist you in finding and using both electronic and print materials produced by various federal and state agencies, such as the Department of Education. You can also get information through their web page at http://exlibris.memphis.edu/resource/unclesam.html. Government Websites: The Monthly Catalog (an index to Government Publications) Thomas: Legislative Information The Federal Register World Fact Book 2001 Useful sites created by Government Publications staff: Who's Who in Federal Government Politics as Usual Legislative Resources Administrative Law International Agencies and Statistical Resources Treaties & Multinational Agreements V. Web Resources You may want to explore web sites using various internet resources or, if you have them, specific URLs. [See Robert Harris's Internet Search Tips and Strategies ] The web sites listed below are examples of the various types of information available via the Internet. CNN/Time: All Politics Congressional Universe Democratic National Committee Department of Political Science, University of Memphis Digital National Security Archive: The documents that made U.S. policy - Provides access to 15 collections comprised of nearly 40,000 declassified documents, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, that are "central to US foreign and military policy since 1945." Duke Journal of Comparative and International Law. The Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) Legal Information Institute (Cornell University) Political Science Resources (University of Michigan Documents Center) - An extremely comprehensive guide including information relating to presidential elections. Republican National Committee Tennessee General Assembly The United Nations University of Memphis Law Library VI. Course Information Guide to research in McWherter Library Public Policy 7600 Professor Clay Seminar in Public Policy Analysis PADM 7/8213 Professor Cheever Urban Problems POLS 4224/6224 Professor Works Public Policy POLS 3601 Professor Works International Relations 4501 Professor Apodaca VII. Help from the Library Still can't find what you're looking for? Try Ask A Librarian For additional assistance, you may contact the liaison librarian for Political Science: Mary Freilich Phone: 901.678.8203 Email: freilich@memphis.edu Related Research Guides American History | World History | Sociology Top of Page | Research Resources | Instruction | Reference Department | University Libraries | The University of Memphis Updated December 8, 2004