Course Research Guide for POLI 269 - Empirical Research Methods

• Research & Computing Help
  
  
• Reference Resources
  
  
• Statistical Resources
  
  
• Finding Books: Catalogs
  
  
• Finding Articles & More : Indexes

• Web Research
  
  
• Evaluating Research Materials
  
  
• Borrowing Materials & Interlibrary Loan
  
  
• Citing Your Resources

Research Help

• What? Librarians will help with research questions related to choosing a research topic or question, finding background information, choosing and searching within Library catalogs and subscription resources, finding books and articles at Macalester, requesting materials from other libraries, finding statistics, evaluating research resources, etc.
  
  
• When? Monday-Thursday 8am-9pm, Friday 8am-4:30pm, Saturday 1pm-5pm, Sunday 1pm-9pm. Librarians can also help through email, consultation sessions, and chat. See More Help in this section for additional information about these types of help.
  
  
• Where? The Reference Desk is located just inside the main doors of the Library and to your right.
  
  
• More Help
  
  
  • Sign Up for a Reference Consultation Session with a Librarian using the Library's Ask Us service (Limited Hours).
    
    
  • Call the Reference Desk at x6618 [Off Campus (651) 696-6618].
    
    
  • Send an Email Reference Question using the Library's Ask Us service.
    
    
  • Chat with a Librarian using the Library's Ask Us service (Limited Hours).
    
    
  • Contact your Instruction Session Librarian.

Computing Help

• What? CIT (Computing and Information Technology) staff members and student employees will help you with questions related to computer hardware and software, the network, email, printing, passwords and online accounts, etc.
  
  
• When? Monday-Thursday 8am-10pm, Friday 8am-4pm, Sunday 4pm-10pm.
  
  
• Where? The Computing Help Desk office is located in the Humanities Building, Room 310.
  
  
• More Help
  
  
  • Find more information and help on the Computing Help Desk Web page.
    
    
  • Call the CIT (Computing & Information Technology) Computing Help Desk at x6525 [Off Campus (651) 696-6525] to speak directly to a consultant or leave a message.
    
    
  • Email the Computing Help Desk to report a problem or ask a question.
    
    
  • Use CIT Documentation, instructional handouts explaining systems and software, for help with computer, application, program, and network questions.

• What? Reference materials include resources like dictionaries, encyclopedias, atlases, almanacs, handbooks, statistical materials, etc.
  
  
• When? Use resources in the Reference Collection to find background information on your topic area when you start your research projects.
  
  
• Where? Reference Collection Library Map. Use the CLICnet Catalog to search for resources in the Reference Collection. Print books are shelved under Library of Congress Call Numbers, including both letters and numbers, based on their subject matter.
  
  
  
  • Electronic Reference Resources - Collection of subscription reference packages

Selected Reference Resources for this Course

• What? Use statistics to support your research question. Be specific about the type of statistics you seek. Keep in mind that the more variables involved (e.g. statistics for multiple countries, statistics for multiple ethnic groups, statistics covering a long period of time, etc.) the more complex your search may be.
  
  
• When? Finding statistics can be a complex and lengthy process. Start searching for statistics as soon as possible if you know that you will need them for your research.
  
  
• Where? Use the CLICnet Catalog to search for resources in the Reference Collection or ask a Librarian to help you find relevant Reference resources to help you with your research. Sometimes statistical information is available via the Internet.

Selected Statistical Resources for this Course

FactSearch (FactSearch)

Coverage: 1984 - | Help

Discipline/Topic Areas: Multidisciplinary (Social Sciences, Sciences)
Resource Type: Electronic Reference Resource (Subscription)
Publisher/Vendor: Pierian Press, Inc., OCLC FirstSearch
Description: Database of full-text statistical statements on current social, economic, political, health, and environmental issues and public policy topics. Provides critical statistical evidence and date-linked data that can be used to emphasize a point or reinforce an argument.

LexisNexis Statistical

Coverage: Current | Help | Title List

Discipline/Topic Areas: Multidisciplinary (Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences)
Resource Type: Electronic Reference Resource (Subscription)
Publisher/Vendor: Congressional Information Service, Inc., LexisNexis
Description: Comprehensive index to statistical information from Congressional Information Service, Inc. The service allows users to search summaries of statistical publications, then link to the full-text of selected publications on Statistical Universe and government Web sites. Includes some international statistics.

Polling the Nations

Coverage: 1986 -

Discipline/Topic Areas: Multidisciplinary (Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences)
Resource Type: Electronic Reference Resource (Subscription)
Publisher/Vendor: ORS Publishing
Description: Compilation of more than 14,000 surveys conducted by more than 700 polling organizations in the United States and more than 80 other countries. All surveys reported here were conducted using scientifically selected random samples. Both subject searching and browsing are available in the database.

• What? A catalog is a record of items and materials owned, or subscribed to, by a particular library or group of libraries. Here at Macalester our online catalog is called CLICnet.
  
  
• When? Catalogs are the primary research tool to use when you need to find books. A catalog will allow you to search by the title or author of an item and also provide you with different ways to find research materials by topic.
  
  
• Where? Print books are shelved under Library of Congress Call Numbers, including both letters and numbers, based on their subject matter. See the Library's Locating Books at Macalester Web page for more information.
  
  
  
  • CLICnet - Books and other materials owned by Macalester's Library
    
    
  • MNCAT - Books and other materials owned by the University of Minnesota

  
  
  What if I want a book that is not available at Macalester?

  If the book is available at another school in the CLICnet Catalog: Use the red "Request" button that appears in the catalog near the top of the page in the record for the item.

  If the book is NOT available in the CLICnet Catalog: Submit an Interlibrary Loan request. Please see the Library's Interlibrary Loan - Borrowing Policy Web page for more information.

• What? Indexes are subscription databases, or a set of print volumes, that provide information about research materials by subject. Many indexes are multidisciplinary in nature, containing research information covering a variety of disciplines. The Library pays for Macalester community members to have access to these packages.
  
  
• When? Use indexes when you need to find information about articles in journals, magazines, newspapers, and reference sources for you research projects. Many of these resources also include information about other research materials such as books, book chapters, government publications, working papers, conference proceedings, Web sites, statistical resources, etc.
  
  
• Where? The fulltext of an article is sometimes available in a particular online index or we may subscribe to the print version of a journal you need. Use the Journal Finder Catalog to determine if the Library subscribes to a particular journal or other periodical either online or in print in the Library.
  
  
  
  • Indexes & Electronic Collections by Title - Subscription databases and other electronic collections available at Macalester.

  
  
  What if I want an article that is not available in an online or print journal at Macalester?

  If the article is not available in print or online journal at Macalester: Submit an Interlibrary Loan request. Please see the Library's Interlibrary Loan - Borrowing Policy Web page for more information.

Selected Indexes & Electronic Collections for this Course

Academic Search Premier

Coverage: 1975 - | Title List

Discipline/Topic Areas: Multidisciplinary (Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences)
Resource Type: Electronic Index (Subscription)
Publisher/Vendor Information: EBSCOhost, EBSCO Publishing
Description: Provides full text for nearly 4,600 scholarly publications, including full text for more than 3,500 peer-reviewed journals. Coverage spans virtually every area of academic study and offers information dating as far back as 1975.

All Academic

Coverage: 2002 - | Help | Title List

Discipline/Topic Areas: Multidisciplinary (Social Sciences)
Resource Type: Ejournal & Etext Collection (Subscription)
Publisher/Vendor Information: All Academic
Description: Fulltext collection of peer-reviewed conference proceedings and journal articles from the social sciences. Contains refereed primary research from conventions, journals, and other sources. Includes browsing options for individual journal titles and conferences.

Alternative Press Index (AltPressIndex)

Coverage: 1991 - | Help

Discipline/Topic Areas: Multidisciplinary (Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences)
Resource Type: Electronic Index (Subscription)
Publisher/Vendor Information: Alternative Press Center, OCLC FirstSearch
Description: International and interdisciplinary database that indexes periodicals covering cultural, economic, political and social change. Includes citation information for nearly 300 alternative, radical and left periodicals, newspapers, and magazines. Abstracts are also provided for selected research journals.

America: History & Life

Coverage: 1964 -

Discipline/Topic Areas: African American Studies, American Studies, History
Resource Type: Electronic Index (Subscription)
Publisher/Vendor Information: ABC-CLIO
Description: Indexes articles from journals, books, and dissertations in the area of American and Canadian history from prehistory to the present. Covers over 2,000 journals published worldwide.

Business Source Premier

Coverage: 1922 - | Title List

Discipline/Topic Areas: Economics
Resource Type: Electronic Index (Subscription)
Publisher/Vendor Information: EBSCOhost, EBSCO Publishing
Description: Provides full text for nearly 3,800 scholarly business journals, including full text for more than 1,100 peer-reviewed business publications. Coverage includes virtually all subject areas related to business. This database provides full text (PDF) for more than 350 of the top scholarly journals dating as far back as 1922.

CIAO (Columbia International Affairs Online)

Coverage: 1991 - | Help

Discipline/Topic Areas: International Studies, Political Science
Resource Type: Ejournal & Etext Collection (Subscription)
Publisher/Vendor: Columbia University Press
Description: Indexes articles, books, conference proceedings and working papers in the field of public policy and international affairs.

JSTOR

Coverage: Date Varies | Help | Title List

Discipline/Topic Areas: Multidisciplinary (Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences)
Resource Type: Ejournal Collection (Subscription)
Publisher/Vendor: JSTOR
Description: Large archival collection of core scholarly journals in the arts and humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Fulltext back to their date of first publication to within the current 2-5 years.

Left Index

Coverage: 1982 -

Discipline/Topic Areas: Multidisciplinary (Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences)
Resource Type: Electronic Index (Subscription)
Publisher/Vendor: NISC BiblioLine
Description: Provides access to the diversity of literature on the left, with a primary emphasis on political, economic, social and culturally engaged scholarship inside and outside academia. A secondary emphasis is on significant but little known sources of news and ideas. Topics covered include the labor movement, ecology & environment, race & ethnicity, social & cultural theory, sociology, art & aesthetics, philosophy, history, education, law, and globalization.

LexisNexis Academic

Coverage: Date Varies | Help | Title List

Discipline/Topic Areas: Multidisciplinary (Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences)
Resource Type: Electronic Index (Subscription)
Publisher/Vendor: LexisNexis
Description: Fulltext articles from newspapers, trade magazines, legal resources, medical resources, and several reference sources.

PAIS International (PAIS/Public Affairs Information Service International)

Coverage: 1972 - | Help

Discipline/Topic Areas: Multidisciplinary (Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences)
Resource Type: Electronic Index (Subscription)
Publisher/Vendor: OCLC Public Affairs Information Service, Inc., OCLC FirstSearch
Description: Index to journals, books, government and international publications covering global public policy and social issues.

Periodicals Contents Index (PCI)

Coverage: 1770 - 1995 | Help | Title List

Discipline/Topic Areas: Multidisciplinary (Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences)
Resource Type: Electronic Index (Subscription)
Publisher/Vendor: Chadwyck-Healey, ProQuest Information and Learning
Description: Index to over 4,300 international journals in the fields of humantities and the social sciences from the first date of the journal's publication through about 1991.

Project MUSE

Coverage: Date Varies | Title List

Discipline/Topic Areas: Multidisciplinary (Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences)
Resource Type: Ejournal Collection (Subscription)
Publisher/Vendor: Johns Hopkins University Press, Project MUSE
Description: Searchable collection of fulltext journals in the humanities, social sciences and sciences.

ProQuest Newspapers

Coverage: 1986 -

Discipline/Topic Areas: Multidisciplinary (Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences)
Resource Type: Electronic Index (Subscription)
Publisher/Vendor: ProQuest Information and Learning
Description: Large collection of newspapers with access to the full text for over 300 U.S. and international news sources. Includes coverage of over 150 major U.S. and international newspapers, such as The New York Times, The Times of London, and The Wall Street Journal, as well as hundreds of other news sources and news wires.

Sociological Abstracts

Coverage: 1963 - | Help | Title List

Discipline/Topic Areas: Humanities & Cultural Studies, Sociology
Resource Type: Electronic Index (Subscription)
Publisher/Vendor: Sociological Abstracts, Cambridge Scientific Abstracts (CSA)
Description: Provides access to the latest research in sociology and related disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences.

Worldwide Political Science Abstracts

Coverage: 1975 - | Help | Title List

Discipline/Topic Areas: International Studies, Political Science
Resource Type: Electronic Index (Subscription)
Publisher/Vendor: Cambridge Scientific Abstracts (CSA)
Description: Covers over 1000 journals that cover political science related fields including law, public administration/policy, and international relations.

• What? The Internet is used to access information stored in files or documents on another computer. When you use the Internet, you retrieve documents, view images, programs, animation, and video, listen to sound files, speak and hear voice, via the World Wide Web. (From the UC Berkeley Library Web site)
  
  
• When? Use the Web to start your research. Like Reference Collection resources, Websites can help with finding background information for your research project.
  
  
• Where? Use a Web browser like Mozilla, Internet Explorer, Safari, Netscape, Avant, or Opera to access information via the Internet. No single search engine can claim to even come close to searching the entire Web. For best results, use multiple search engines.
  
  
  
  • Google - A great search engine to start with when surfing and searching on the Web.
    
    
  • Search Engine Watch - Access additional search engines. Also find information and reviews about these search engines.

Selected Web Resources for this Course

Evaluating research materials involves analyzing a resource to determine its usefulness and appropriateness with respect to your research project. Evaluation is important during all phases of a research project. You must select the best and most appropriate resources for your research.

Criteria to Consider When Evaluating Research Materials:

• What? Interlibary Loan, or ILL, is a DeWitt Wallace Library service that allows current Macalester students, staff, and faculty to request materials not available at Macalester.
  
  
• When? If Macalester does not own, or subscribe to, the research material you need, you can ask the Library to try and borrow the item from another Library in the area.
  
  
• Where? The Library uses a system called ILLiad that allows you to place requests for materials and track the status of these requested materials.
  
  
  
  • ILLiad Login - Use to access an existing account in the ILLiad system.
    
    
  • Interlibrary Loan - Borrowing Policy - For more information about Interlibrary Loan and ILLiad.

• What? Giving credit to the ideas of other scholars when you use their work or research in developing your own project.
  
  
• When? You must cite a resource whenever you quote, paraphrase, summarize, or otherwise refer to the work of another.
  
  
• Where? Citing a source usually includes parenthetical documentation or use of a footnote within the text of your project as well as creating a works cited reference list at the end of your project using a specific citation style. See the Library's Citing Resources Guide Web page for more information.
  
  
  
  • RefWorks - Service that allows you to download, organize, annotate, and search citations you find during your research as well as create in-text citations and works cited bibliographies for your papers.
    
    

Common Citation Style Manuals

Chicago Manual of Style
Chicago : The Press, 1982-
MAC Ref Z253 .U69 2003

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers
Joseph Gibaldi. New York : Modern Language Association of America, 2003.
MAC Ref LB2369 .G53 2003

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
Washington, DC : American Psychological Association, c2001.
MAC Ref BF76.7 .P83 2001