Back to Resources for Majors and Courses
Link to print-friendly version
POL 200: Analyzing Politics
Fall 2009
Library Lab Goals
The library lab component will give you: 1) a broad understanding of the structure of political science literature, 2) exposure to key information tools and resources in political science, and 3) a framework to think critically about information. The lab component seeks to develop your abilities to locate, evaluate, and effectively utilize information.
Use this guide to locate information tools and sources appropriate for your research. For additional assistance with research, stop by the Reference Desk to consult a librarian.
Personnel:
Julie Gilbert jgilber2@gac.edu
Kate Knutson knutson@gustavus.edu
Table of Contents:
Finding Books
- MnPALS
The online catalog to the library at Gustavus Adolphus College. Choose "All MnPALS Libraries" under "Library to Search" to search other MnPALS libraries (such as Minnesota State schools) and request books through Interlibrary loan. See our Guide to MnPALS for instructions.
- MnLink
A shared catalog of Minnesota libraries, including the University of Minnesota. To search a large number of libraries at once, choose "Libraries - Academic" from the "Current Profile" list. Use the "Get it!" button to place Interlibrary Loan requests.
- WorldCat
Includes over 40 million bibliographic records representing cataloged resources in 400 languages owned by libraries around the world. Materials date back to the 11th century. Owning libraries can be identified for books, journals, archival resources and electronic resources. Access to WorldCat is provided by the Electronic Library for Minnesota (ELM); the database can also be searched through its free web interface, at worldcat.org.
1000 CE-present; updated daily
Finding Articles
If you have an article citation and can't find the full text in a database, use the Journal Locator to see if Gustavus owns a print copy of the article OR if it is available through another database. Be sure to search the Journal Locator with the title of the journal, not the article title.
- Academic Search Premier
The world's largest academic multi-disciplinary database, Academic Search Premier indexes nearly 8,050 publications and provides full text for nearly 4,600, including more than 3,500 peer-reviewed journals. Coverage also includes many newspapers and popular magazines and spans virtually every area of academic study since 1975. Updated daily. Access is provided by the Electronic Library for Minnesota (ELM).
1975-present; updated daily
- CIAO
Columbia International Affairs Online contains references to working papers, conference proceedings, journals, books, policy briefs, economic indicators, and more, from 1991 to the present. The database focuses on theory and research in international affairs.
1991-present; updated monthly
- JSTOR
Full-text backfiles to over 350 scholarly journals from more than 25 academic disciplines published between the 19th and 21st centuries in the JSTOR Arts & Sciences I, Arts & Sciences II, and Language & Literature collections. JSTOR provides complete journal backruns from the date of initial publication up to a "moving wall" of 3 to 5 years before the present year.
1831-2004
- LexisNexis Academic
Search current news, business information (including business news and corporate financials), and legal news and information. International news sources are also included.
varies by title; mostly 1980s-present
- PapersFirst
NEW FOR 2009-2010 Index of papers presented at conferences worldwide. Covers every published congress, symposium, conference, exposition, workshop and meeting received by The British Library Document Supply Centre. Access is provided by the Electronic Library for Minnesota (ELM).
- Political Science (SAGE Full Text)
Sage Premier includes the full text of over 500 journals, including 24 Political Science titles. Topics covered include political science, American government, political sociology, policy studies, peace studies and international relations. Full text from 1982-present.
1981-present; updated weekly
- ProceedingsFirst
New for 2009-2010 Index of worldwide conference proceedings. It covers every published congress, symposium, conference, exposition, workshop, and meeting received by The British Library Document Supply Centre, and contains in each record a list of the papers presented at each conference. Access is provided by the Electronic Library for Minnesota (ELM).
- ProQuest Newsstand
Indexing and selected full text access to over 350 newspapers from around the world. Archival coverage begins in 1985 for some titles. Access is provided by the Electronic Library for Minnesota (ELM).
1986-present (most from 1995 on)
- Public Affairs Index
Covers global contemporary public policy issues, ranging from public health, the environment, housing, human and civil rights, to international conflict and natural disasters. Draws on scholarly publications, conference papers, government documents and reference works.
1972-present; updated weekly
Reference Books
Reference books are helpful at a number of steps during your research. They define unfamiliar terms, give an overview of a topic, and often provide recommendations for further reading. The reference books listed below are all found on the main floor of the library. There are many other available reference books about political science; be sure to browse the areas near the books listed below to find other good sources.
- Almanac of American Politics
National Journal
Summarizes the state of politics at both national and state levels, giving vote results on key issues and state-by-state analysis of important issues. Updated biennially.
• Location(s): Ref JK 1012 .A44
1972-
- America Votes
Congressional Quarterly
Summarizes state and national election returns. Useful for historical as well as recent information.
• Location(s): Ref JK 1967 .A8
1956-
- Congressional Quarterly's Guide to Congress
CQ
2000
5th edition
Gives detailed histories and discussions of Congressional processes and issues. There are similar guides put out by the same publisher covering the presidency (Ref JK 516 .G83 2008), the Supreme Court (Ref KF 8742 .W567 2004), and US elections (Ref JK1967 .G85 2005).
• Location(s): Ref JK 1021 .C565 2000
- CQ Researcher
Includes bulletins published weekly on current topics of interest. The bulletins give historical overviews, an analysis of the issue, and suggestions for further research. An index is included in the most recent binder.
- CQ's Politics in America
CQ
Gives biographical sketches and political analysis of legislators, discussion of regional and state politics, and thumbnail sketches of legislative districts. Updated biennially
• Location(s): Ref JK 1010 .P64
1981-
- Human Rights Watch World Report
Human Rights Watch
An annual publication that surveys the world's human rights record. Each volume offers regional and country surveys summarizing the events of the previous year. Also available online: http://www.hrw.org/reports/world/reports/
1990-
- Regional Surveys of the World
This multi-volume set provides excellent and informative information on countries of the world, including geographical, historical, political, economic, and statistical information. Each entry also contains a directory of governmental and non-governmental organizations. Older volumes are shelved in the General and/or Oversize collection; recent volumes are shelved in Reference. Consult the following list to identify volume(s) useful to your research.
- Africa South of the Sahara
Location: Ref DT 351 .A37
- Central and South-Eastern Europe
Location: Ref HC 244 .A1 C46
- Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia
Location: Ref HC 244 .A1 E29
- The Far East and Australasia
Location: Ref DS1 .F3
- The Middle East and North Africa
Location: Ref DS 49 .M62
- South America, Central American, and the Caribbean
Location: Ref F1401 .S28
- Western Europe
Location: Ref HC 240 .A1 W47
- Social Science Encyclopedia
London: Routledge
2004
3rd ed. edition
Covers controversies and common assumptions in the fields of social science, including anthropology, psychology, economics, sociology, political theory, and gender studies. Contributors are drawn from many disciplines and represent perspectives from the US, the UK and beyond.
• Location(s): Ref H 41 .S63 2004
- Sage Encyclopedia of Social Science Research Methods
Thousand Oaks: Sage
2004
A thorough treatment of a variety of research methods and tools, covering definitions of terms, topical essays on concepts, and overviews of specific methods, outlining their nature, history, application, and reasons to choose one method over another. Both qualitative and quantitative methods and concepts are included.
• Location(s): Ref H 62 .L456 2004
Public Opinon Data
- Gallup Poll
Wilmington, DE: Scholarly Resources
1972-present
An annual compilation of opinion poll statistics gathered by the Gallup Organization, covering from 1935 to the present. Indexes make it easy to find figures from different years. This organization also maintains a website which contains selected data at Gallup.com.
• Location(s): Ref HN 90 .P8 G35
Statistical Sources
- Gallup Poll
Wilmington, DE: Scholarly Resources
1972-present
An annual compilation of opinion poll statistics gathered by the Gallup Organization, covering from 1935 to the present. Indexes make it easy to find figures from different years. This organization also maintains a website which contains selected data at Gallup.com.
• Location(s): Ref HN 90 .P8 G35
- Historical Statistics of the United States: earliest times to the present
New York: Cambridge University Press
2006
Millenium ed. edition
Revised update to Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970, Bicentennial ed. Washington U.S. Dept. of Commerce:GPO
Includes bibliographic references and index,illustrated with maps, updates previous publishing with U.S. Census 2000 data.
• Location(s): Ref HA 202 .H57 2006 (5 vols.)
- Statistical Abstract of the United States
Washington, D.C. : Government Printing Office
1879-present
This is perhaps the single most useful small package of statistical information available. It includes hundreds of tables of figures on population, economics, social factors, etc., with references to the original sources. An index to the tables provide essay access. A web version can be found at Census.gov.
• Location(s): Ready Reference HA 202 .A2
- Statistical Resources on the Web
Sponsored and maintained by the University of Michigan Library Documents Center, this website categorizes statistical sources into 24 major topical areas. It includes comprehensive coverage of government sites and is also fully searchable.
- Statistical Universe
Includes summaries of statistical publications and searches and displays tables of statistical data. Statistical Universe includes links to the full-text of selected publications and government web sites, including the information contained in the Statistical Abstract of the United States.
Government Documents
- Thomas
Provided by the Library of Congress, use this site to track congressional bills, read committee reports, and search the U.S. Code.
- USA.gov
Formerly known as firstgov.gov, this site is the gateway to all U.S. government web pages.
Conference Papers
Library Help
- Evaluating Web Sites
Use our guide to help determine if a web site would be an appropriate and reliable source for your research.
- Interlibrary Loan
For information on ordering books and articles that Gustavus does not own, visit our Interlibrary Loan page or talk with a reference librarian.
- Reference Desk
No question too small (or big)! Visit us at the desk, by phone, email or chat for help with any library and/or research questions.
Page Coordinator: Julie Gilbert jgilber2@gac.edu
This URL: http://gustavus.edu/academics/library/libdata_pos/page.phtml?page_id=41
|
|
