Social Sciences & Contemporary Affairs Research Guide

Developed for those doing research in contemporary issues, policy, health trends and related fields, this guide provides a suggested list of resources, including electronic databases, selected Internet resources and print material.  Because social issues research usually encompasses other disciplines (such as criminal justice, health, psychology, education, environment) you may need to consult information sources in a variety of subjects. For targeted research suggestions and assistance, visit the reference desk, e-mail reference@snhu.edu, or call 603-668-2211 ext 2161.

SNHU ELECTRONIC RESOURCES

• Britannica Online  
  The online version of the Encyclopaedia Britannica - the largest, most authoritative encyclopedia  in the world and an excellent starting point for research. 
• Columbia International Affairs Online (CIAO)
  A comprehensive source for theory and research in international affairs. It includes working  papers, academic research studies, occasional papers and series from NGOs, foundation-funded  research projects, books, journals and policy briefs.
• Communications & Mass Media Complete
  Provides access research in areas related to communication and mass media, from such  publications as American Journal of Sociology, New Cinemas, Journal of Contemporary Film,  Theory, Culture & Society. 
• Family & Society Studies Worldwide 
  Provides coverage of research, policy, and practice literature in family science, human ecology,  human development, and social welfare.
• Health Source
  Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition provides access to scholarly full-text journals focusing  on the many medical disciplines.
• International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences
  The reference work for the social and behavioral sciences, it includes signed articles,  bibliographic references and biographical entries. Shapiro Library has IESBS in both  electronic and print (REF H 41 .I58 2001) formats.
• JSTOR: the Scholarly Journal Archive
  Database of archival issues of major scholarly journals. 
• MEDLINE
  Provides authoritative medical information on medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine,  health care systems, pre-clinical sciences, etc. Created by the National Library of Medicine.
• Military and Government Collection
  Current news pertaining to all branches of the military and government through the collection of   periodicals, academic journals and monographs, and reports.
• Opposing Viewpoints
  Provides a “one-stop source” for information on social issues:  viewpoint articles, topic overviews,  statistics, primary documents, and, periodical and newspaper articles.
•  Project Muse
   Full-text, peer-reviewed current journals from scholarly publishers in the humanities, social  sciences, and sciences.  Database is from the Johns Hopkins University Press.
• SocINDEX with Full-Text  
  Comprehensive and quality sociology research database of "core" coverage journals dating  back to 1895, and, "priority" coverage journals, books and monographs, and conference papers.

RECOMMENDED INTERNET SITES

• A Sociological Tour Through Cyberspace  
  Be sure to look at this site developed by Michael C. Kearl at Trinity University in San Antonio, TX.  You will go back to it often: it is a comprehensive portal, creatively presented.
• SocioSite 
  A “Sociological Information System” based at the University of Amsterdam, Holland. Contains “resources and information that are important for the... the world wide scene of social sciences. (NB click on Subject Areas)
• Social Science Gateways   
  Very comprehensive collection of data and gateway links maintained at and by the University of  California, San Diego.
• Statistical Resources on the Web: Sociology  
  From the University of Michigan Libraries’ Documents Center, this site provides links to sites  providing sociology related statistics, including US government sites and national and  international organizations.
• Documents in the News: Current Events Research   
  Another University of Michigan site, this provides links to government information sources and  web sites that deal with current events from 1995 forward.  It includes topics such as assisted  suicide, cloning, terrorism, campaign finance reform.

SNHU PRINT RESOURCES

"American Attitudes : What Americans Think About the Issues that Shape Their Lives."  REF HN 90 .P8 A527 2005

"Dictionary of the Social Sciences."    REF H41 .D53 2002

"Encyclopedia of Applied Developmental Science."  REF HQ 767.84 .E52 2005
 
"Encyclopedia of Multiculturalism."  REF E184.A1 E58 1993

"Encyclopedia of Social Measurement."  REF H 62 .E584 2005

"International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences."    REF H40.A2 I5
 
"International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences."  REF H41 .I58 2001

"Sociology : a Guide to Reference and Information Sources."    REF HM 585 .A25 2005

"The Sage Encyclopedia of Social Science Research Methods."  REF H 62 .L456 2004 
  
"The Social Science Encyclopedia." 3rd edition REF H41 .S63 2004

HOW TO FIND MATERIAL THAT YOU CAN CHECK OUT
The Shapiro Library has a significant collection of resources that address the wide variety of social issues.  Use the Online Catalog to locate resources in the regular collection and the Government Documents section:  note that a number of holdings are also available in electronic format.  Enter your issue term or phrase as your keyword for a “Quick Search,” or, go to “Advanced Search” for a subject search or a more defined query.   Note that keyword versus subject terms will bring you differing results.