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Political Science  Resources

The following is a selected list of resources for starting research in Political Science. For further assistance, contact Allison Carr, Social Sciences Librarian.

Getting Started
Books
Journal Articles
Web Sites
Special Topic: Politics and Religion
Citing your Sources

Getting Started

These sources can help you identify a topic for your research. Some provide an overview of a specific issue and suggest other materials which might be useful for your research. Others help you to notice a topic that might be of interest to you.

Worldmark encyclopedia of the nations
REFERENCE G63 .W67

The Oxford companion to politics of the world
REFERENCE JA61 .O95 2001

Political science : illustrated search strategy and sources : with an introduction to legal research for undergraduates
REFERENCE JA70 .L68 1993

The Blackwell encyclopaedia of political thought
REFERENCE JA61 .B57 1987

The Blackwell dictionary of political science

Books

To search for books, you need to use a library catalog. Depending on how much time you have, you have a couple of options.

Tips for searching the Library Catalog
Don't waste your time with fruitless searches; here are some tips for doing your research faster.

 

Books at Cal State San Marcos

Library Catalog
Search our local collection of about 250,000 books.

Other Options

Circuit (1-3 day delivery)
Search the collections of other San Diego area libraries -- about 3,000,000 books. Find and request books directly online; pick them up at our Library in 1-3 days.

WorldCat (5-10 day delivery)
Search the collections of libraries world-wide -- about 52,000,000 books. Find a book in this database, and fill-out an Interlibrary Loan delivery request. Book will be delivered to Library for pickup.

Journal Articles

To look for articles in journals, you will need to start with a research database. The following databases provide abstracts of articles from thousands of journals and other sources, often providing full-text.

Strategies for searching these databases
Don't waste your time with fruitless searches; here are some tips for doing your research faster.

 

Most Useful

Academic Search Premier
This scholarly collection offers information in nearly every area of academic study including: computer sciences, engineering, physics, chemistry, language and linguistics, arts & literature, medical sciences, ethnic studies, and many more.
Coverage: 1975→current

JSTOR
Contains (EXCEPT for the latest five years) core scholarly journals in sociology, history, economics, political science, mathematics, African-American & Asian studies, literature, humanities, music, and biological, health & general sciences.
Coverage: 1838→2004

PAIS
An important index to political, economic, and social issues in current debate.
Coverage: 1972→current

Also Useful

Lexis Nexis Academic
Provides access to a wide range of news, business, legal, and reference information.
Coverage: 1975→current

LexisNexis Congressional
Comprehensive access to U.S. legislative information including bill tracking, hearing testimony, Congressional Record, and Federal Register.
Coverage: 1980→current

GPO: U.S. Government Printing Office
Abstracts from all types of U.S. government documents, including Congressional reports, hearings, debates, and records.
Coverage: 1976→current

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.
Coverage: 1991→current

Public Policy Institute of California
This collection of California state policy, research and statistical reports covers subjects such as economic development, education, employment, environment, government/politics, health, housing, infrastructure (transportation, water, etc.), immigration.
Coverage: 1996→current

Web Sites

Strategies for searching the Internet

 

Select Political Science Internet  Resources