Social Work Research Guide

This online guide is developed specifically for those doing research in Social Work. It provides a recommended list of resources, which encompasses print materials, electronic databases, and selected Internet resources.

Because Social Work includes many disciplines such as education, health, psychology, and sociology, you may need to consult resources in those fields also.

For more extensive research help, call the Reference Desk at 696-2334.

Latest News & Research

Headlines collected from the CATO Institute, Information for Practice, and U.S. Census Bureau

Books

Use the library catalog to locate books in the Marshall University libraries.
The following Library of Congress Subject Headings can be used with the Basic Search by Subject Heading to locate books in the Marshall University libraries:
- Social work
- Social work administration
- Social work with children (Also available: ... with criminals, with minorities, with the aged, with women, etc.)
- Social workers
- Family social work
- Medical social work
- Police social work
- Psychiatric social work
- School social work
- Social case work
- Social group work
For additional, useful subject headings for your topic, consult the following listings, available in the Reference Collection: Library of Congress Subject Headings (Reference Desk)
Use the Keyword Search to locate additional books for your topic in the library catalog.
Browse the shelves in these call number areas to find books devoted to social work topics:
- HV 1-550 Social work (general)
- HV 697-1420 Mothers and Children (includes orphans, handicapped children, etc.)
- HV 1421-1441 Teenagers, Adolescents
- HV 1442-1448 Women
- HV 1450-1493 Aged
- HV 1551-3024 Disabled
For books at other libraries, search other Library catalogs over the Web. These books may be ordered from other libraries using the Information Delivery Services (IDS).

[ Top of Page ]

Journal & Magazine Articles

The online databases and indexes listed below will provide references to articles (or in some cases full-text articles) in a wide range of periodicals, from news magazines and newspapers to scholarly and professional journals. If you have questions about choosing or using a database or index, please consult a Librarian

Full-Text Databases

Academic Search Premier
Recommended
This comprehensive database features full text for over 1,200 journals with many dating back to 1990, abstracts and indexing for over 3,000 scholarly journals, and coverage of The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and The Christian Science Monitor. It also includes coverage of over 1,700 peer-reviewed journals.

Hint: Remember, articles that can't be printed as full-text or image may be available elsewhere in the Library.
Lexis Academic
Full-text access to over 5000 news sources and legal resources. Most are not scholarly journals.
Kluwer Online
Full-text access to 750 journals, with the ability to search across the table of contents and abstracts of all Kluwer journals. Includes journals in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Full-text from 1997 to the present.
Contemporary Women's Issues (CWI)
Provides full text access to global information on women. Journals, newsletters, research reports from non-profit groups, government and international agencies, along with fact sheets are easily accessed through CWI. Information on women in over 150 countries is compiled in a single collection bringing together such disciplines as sociology, psychology, health, education and human rights.
PsycARTICLES
PsycARTICLES® contains more than 25,000 full-text articles from 42 journals published by American Psychological Association and allied organizations. Coverage includes general psychology and specialized basic, applied, clinical, and theoretical research in psychology, and psychiatric social work.
Synergy
Full-text of over 290 scientific, medical, and professional journals from Blackwell Science and Munksgaard publishers.

Indexes & Bibliographic Databases

These databases and indexes will provide citation information (author, article title, periodical name, volume & issue, date) for articles, essays, book chapters, dissertations, and other materials, which may be found in the MU Libraries by searching the library catalog or ordered from another library using the Information Delivery Services (IDS) if the items are not owned by MU Libraries.

Social Services Abstracts Recommended
Provides bibliographic coverage of current research focused on social work, human services, and related areas, including social welfare, social policy, and community development. The database abstracts and indexes over 1,600 serials publications and includes abstracts of journal articles and dissertations, and citations to book reviews.
Hint: Remember, articles that can't be printed as full-text or image may be available elsewhere in the Library.
Sociological Abstracts
Covers the world's literature in sociology and related disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences. Covers original research, reviews, discussions, monographic publications, panel discussions, case studies, conference papers, and dissertations from over 1,600 journals and other serial publications.
PsycINFO
Provides indexing and abstracts for over one million articles in 1,700 journals and also includes abstracts for dissertations, books and book chapters ranging in date from 1887 to the present.
Worldwide Political Science Abstracts
Covers the world's literature in political science and related fields, including social policy.
PAIS Decade
Database chronicling global public policy and social issues. Provides selective subjects and bibliographic access to periodicals, books, hearings, reports, gray literature, government publications, Internet resources, and other publications from 120 countries.

Selected Periodicals

Print & Online Periodicals

This is a partial list of periodicals in social work available in print or online format (or both) in the MU Libraries:

Hint: This page links you to Journals Search, which gives detailed information for all our journals, magazines, and newspapers. It will indicate if the periodical is available online, in print, or in microfilm, and state the years of coverage for each format. Whenever possible Journals Search provides a direct link to full-text content, but some databases don't provide a link to individual titles. In that case you will need to search the database to find articles in a specific periodical.

Administration in Social Work
Affilia: Journal of Women and Social Work
Child and Family Social Work
Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal
Clinical Social Work Journal
Health and Social Work
Journal of Social Work Education
Research on Social Work Practice
School Social Work Journal
Smith College Studies in Social Work
Social Work
Social Work in Education
Social Work in Health Care
Social Work Research
Social Work Research and Abstracts

Does the Library Have Your Article?

Once you have a citation for your article:

Try Journals Search
Look up the title of the journal or magazine that your article appeared in. If the periodical shows up on the list, follow the link to the article database that contains it or find the copy in the library.
If you need a book the library doesn't own, you can request a copy through E-Z Borrow. In addition, you can request articles and books through Information Delivery Services. Most articles are delivered over the web at no charge; paper copies are .10 a page.

[ Top of Page ]

Reference Sources

The Reference Collection, located on the first floor of Drinko Library, contains many print resources that provide useful background information:

Congressional Universe
This comprehensive site includes US Code, Code of Federal Regulations, Federal Register, and Congressional publications, testimony and research.
Ref. HV 12 .B37 1995 The Social Work Dictionary
Provides a precise overview of social work terminology. Includes the NASW Code of Ethics and milestones in the history and development of social work.
Ref. HV 12 .T54 1982 Dictionary of Social Welfare
Brief definitions of terms used in social work and welfare.
Ref. HV 35 .S6 1995 Encyclopedia of Social Work (19th ed.)
Recommended
Over 2500 pages in 3 volumes. 290 essays on topics such as corrections and justice, direct practice, HIV/AIDS, Management, Racial and Ethnic Groups, Research, etc. Most essays are several pages and include bibliographies.
Ref. HV 741 .I94 1990 Child Abuse and Neglect: An Information and Reference Guide
Contains information on interventions, characteristics of children and parents and families, methodological issues, and prevention.
Ref. HV 5804 .E53 1995 Encyclopedia of Drugs and Alcohol
A multi-volume set that contains hundreds of essays on substance use and abuse, including information on social policy, treatment and prevention, law enforcement, politics and economics.
Ref. HV 5804 .E53 1995 Encyclopedia of Criminology and Deviant Behavior
A 4-volume set that contains hundreds of essays on criminology and deviant behavior. For example, Volume II includes essays on age and crime, crimes committed by children, deadbeat parents, juvenile gangs, and the victims' rights movement.
Ref. HV 6570 .K55 1995 Childhood Sexual Abuse
A reference guide that combines a long introduction, a chronology, data and documents, and directory of organizations. Also has a long bibliography. Good introduction to the subject.
Ref. HQ 76.25 .E53 1990 Encyclopedia of Homosexuality
A 2-volume set that contains hundreds of short entries on all aspects of gay and lesbian across time periods and cultures.
Ref. HQ 796 .E58 1991 Encyclopedia of Adolescence
A 2-volume set that contains over 200 entries created for researchers, teachers and practitioners. Examples are Problem Behavior in Adolescence, Adolescent Fathers, and Adolescent Drug Use.
Ref. LB 1051 .H2354 1996 Handbook of Educational Psychology
A large examination of the field of educational psychology, consisting of essays that relate the history and theory behind the latest findings in the field. With a large section on students that includes articles on motivation, child development, gender and development, and other topics.
Ref. LC 4007 .353 2000 Encyclopedia of Special Education
A multi-volume set focusing on the education of the handicapped and other exceptional children and adults. Covers many issues, such as absenteeism, cognitive development, daily living skills, etc.
Ref. RA 790.5 .E53 1998 Encyclopedia of Mental Health
A 3-volume set that covers all aspects of mental health, including the structural, environmental, family, and cultural contexts.
Ref. RC 954 .E53 2001 Encyclopedia of Elder Care
Features nearly 300 articles providing practical information on elder care.
Ref. RC 952.5 .e58 1996 Encyclopedia of Gerontology
A 2-volume set that focuses on 5 major areas: biology of aging, psychology of aging, aging and the social sciences, aging and the humanities, and aging and the health sciences.
Ref. H35 .E36 CQ Researcher
Weekly magazine covering one topic per issue. Includes statistics, background, chronology and bibliography. Topics are social or political issues like sexual harassment, child care, etc. An index is included at the end of each annual volume.

[ Top of Page ]

Statistical Sources

Statistical Universe
A database of primarily government statistics. Includes statistics on crime and justice issues.
Ref. Desk Statistical Abstract of the United States (Online version available at http://www.census.gov/statab/www/)
The major source for census and other governmental statistics. Includes a great deal of information on the state of families, women, and children, such as demographics, health, education, and employment figures.
Ref. HQ 536 .S727 1992 Statistical Handbook of the American Family
Statistics on families and family issues, such as divorce, child care, etc.
Ref. HN 90 .V5 S833 1996 Statistical Handbook on Violence in America
Presents statistics on violent crime and its victims.
Ref. HQ 1420 .T34 1996 Statistical Handbook on Women in America
A wealth of statistical information, somewhat dated (early 90s), grouped around the categories of demographics, employment, health, and social characteristics.
Ref. HQ 796 .S8237 1996 Statistical Handbook on Adolescents in America
A wealth of statistical information, somewhat dated (early 90s), grouped around the categories of demographics, deviance, health, and social characteristics.
Ref. HQ 759.4 .W43 1998 When Teens Have Sex: Issues and Trends
(Online version available at http://www.aecf.org/kidscount/teen/index.htm)
Lots of statistics gathered on this topic.
Ref. HV 6626.52 .P48 1999 Child Abuse and Neglect: A Look at the States
Lots of statistics gathered on this topic - most broken down by state.
Online at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/ National Center for Health Statistics
Government website that links to all kinds of health statistics, including some with a social focus.
Online at http://www.statehealthfacts.kff.org/ State Health Facts
Kaiser Foundation website that gives a snapshot of the state of health and healthcare in each of the states.
Online at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/ Bureau of Justice Statistics
Best website for finding criminal justice statistics.
Online at http://www.childstats.gov ChildStats.gov
This web site offers easy access to federal and state statistics and reports on children and their families, including: population and family characteristics, economic security, health, behavior and social environment, and education.
Online at http://www.aecf.org/kidscount/kc2002/ KIDS COUNT DATA BOOK 2003 Online
This web site offers indicators of child well-being in various categories broken down by state.

[ Top of Page ]

Internet Resources

Annie E. Casey Foundation Publications
http://www.aecf.org/publications/
This website strives to provide the best available data and analysis on critical issues affecting struggling families and at-risk kids. Has several publications available online relating to families and child welfare.
NASW: National Association of Social Workers
http://www.socialworkers.org/default.asp
Site maintained by largest professional social workers group in the world offering information on a wide variety of issues in the field.

[ Top of Page ]

Internet Gateways & Collections

Wide Web Resources for Social Workers
Recommended
http://www.nyu.edu/socialwork/wwwrsw/
Produced by the New York University, gateway site for Web resources on a variety of topics. Up-to-date, comprehensive and authoritative - the best place to begin searching for social work relevant information on the Web.
University of Wisconsin Social Work Library's Web Sites of Interest
http://www.library.wisc.edu/libraries/SocialWork/weblinks.html
Gateway site maintained by the Social Work Librarian at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The "subject-arranged list of links" provides subject access to a wealth of Web resources.
Social Work Search
http://www.socialworksearch.com/
Large database provides searchable access to a number of social work-related Web resources.
Shirley's Social Work Web Resources
http://kml.uindy.edu/resources/socialwork/index.html
From the University of Indianapolis, a database of web resources arranged by topic.
Web Search Engines and Directories
A library webpage that lists tools for searching the web, like web directories, web search engines, meta-search engines, multimedia search engines, and other specialized search tools.

[ Top of Page ]

Page last modified 9-02-03.