Research Guides: POL 300: Getting Started

Getting Started

Before starting your research paper or literature review, check out entries in these reference databases-- you'll find theories, explanations of terms and phrases, biographies, essays on public policy, and more. If those are not detailed enough, check our Library Search for books, films/videos. Here are Library Tutorials that may assist you with your research.

Gale Ebooks This link opens in a new window
Provides searchable full-text e-book versions of many reference works, including multi-volume encyclopedias, biographical collections, business plan handbooks, company history compilations, consumer health references, and specialized handbooks, dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc. in a wide range of subject areas.
Sage Reference This link opens in a new window
An excellent place to get background on your topic with suggestions for further readings. These articles / essays are written by scholars and are quite detailed.
Oxford Handbooks Online This link opens in a new window
The home of scholarly research reviews; an outstanding collection of the best handbooks in 14 subject areas
Routledge Handbooks Online This link opens in a new window
The Handbooks offer in-depth looks a social issues. These scholarly literature reviews highlight the experts for their given subject which gives you, the researcher, a leg-up on articles/ books you should be exploring for your research.
New York Times (NYTimes.com) This link opens in a new window
Have you signed up for this yet? Use this link to set you up for the complete New York Times for a year. In a year you are prompted to sign up again so that they can be sure you are still with SMC. The Times is accessible from any device once you sign up.

POL 300

Head of Access Services and Politics, Careers, and Law Librarian

Getting Started

How to navigate the Library Website