Background sources
- Very Short Introductions This link opens in a new window
Search for concise and original introductions to a wide range of subjects. These short books are written by experts in the field and cover everything from Vatican II to the Civil Rights Movement to Medical Ethics. Note: Only 5 users may access this database at one time. (Oxford)
- Annual Reviews This link opens in a new windowSearch for literature reviews that capture current understandings of topics, including what is well-supported and what is controversial. These articles also set the topic in historical context, highlight the direction of future research, and outline the general significance of the research to society. Subjects are wide-ranging from the science to law to social sciences to politics. (Annual Reviews)
Recommended Journals
- Politics: Special Issue: The Populist Politics of Euroscepticism in Times of CrisisSpecial issue of the journal Politics, Volume 38 Issue 3, August 2018.
Literature Review Resources
An annotated bibliography is a listing of the resources you will use in your paper and includes:
- a brief summary of the content of the resource (book chapter, article, etc.)
- an explanation of how you, as the author, will use the resource within your research project
Cornell University Library has a good resource on how to prepare an annotated bibliography, including examples.
- UR Library CatalogLocate introductory and research level resources on your topic
- WorldCat.orgAccess to 1.4 billion items in libraries worldwide. You can search many libraries at once for an item and then locate it in a library nearby; find books, music, and videos to check out; link to "Ask a Librarian" and other services at your library.
- Political Science Complete This link opens in a new windowSearch for journal articles on topics related to political science, political theory, political behavior, public policy, law, international relations, comparative politics, and non-governmental organizations. (EBSCO)
- PAIS Index This link opens in a new windowSearch for journal articles, reports, and grey literature on topics related to the world's public affairs, public and social policies, international relations, and world politics. "PAIS" stands for "Public Affairs Information Service," and the content dates from the early 1900s-present. (ProQuest)
- CIAO - Columbia International Affairs Online This link opens in a new windowSearch for ebooks, journal articles, policy briefs, reports, and case studies on topics related to international politics and policy. The content is written by scholars, research institutes, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and think-tanks. (Columbia University Press)
- JSTOR This link opens in a new windowSearch for journal articles on topics in the arts, humanities, social sciences and some math/science. Most journals have volumes/issues dating from the 19th century to within 3-5 years of present day. (ITHAKA)
- Social Sciences Citation Index This link opens in a new windowSearch an index of journal articles in the social sciences. This database is part of the Web of Science platform and can also be used to track, evaluate, and compare journals and articles. Tools included are the number of citations, the journal's impact factor, and other metrics. (Clarivate)
- Dissertations and Theses Global (ProQuest) This link opens in a new windowSearch for doctoral dissertations and masters theses from institutions around the world. (ProQuest)
News Sources
- International Newsstream This link opens in a new windowSearch for articles from news sources outside of the US and Canada, such as newspapers, newswires, transcripts, and digital-only news sites. (ProQuest)
- Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS) Daily Reports (1974-1996) This link opens in a new windowSearch broadcasts and news of selected non-U.S. media sources translated into English by the CIA. (Newsbank/Readex)
Social Sciences Librarian
Paul Rosenstein
Contact:
Boatwright Memorial Library, 182
261 Richmond Way
Richmond, VA 23238
261 Richmond Way
Richmond, VA 23238
804.289.8851
