Political Science and Public Affairs Research Guide
Locating Journal Articles
Search here for a specific journal title or to see a list of political science and public affairs journals (print and electronic) held by the library. You may also browse journals by subject (choose Political Science, Government and Law).
Core Political Science and Public Affairs Databases and Indexes
HeinOnline
Full text of law reviews, presidential papers, and Supreme Court documents. Coverage
varies and includes historical material as well as current documents and articles.
CIAO (Columbia International Affairs Online)
Full text of journal articles, data, and maps, as well as reports from foundations,
Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), and conferences on international affairs. Updated
monthly. Coverage: 1991 to present.
SIRS Issues Researcher
Full text pro/con coverage of current and enduring issues (social, scientific, health,
historic, business, economic, political, and global).
PAIS (Public Affairs Information Service) International in Print Index Tables 016.3 P97b
Annual print index to international affairs, economics, and public policy. Coverage:
1940 to present.
General and Multidisciplinary Databases
ProQuest Research Library | Academic Search Elite | LexisNexis Academic
Search for the full text of articles including journal coverage in government, law
and politics, newspapers, and popular media.
Locating Books
The majority of political science books are shelved in the 320-329 call number range on the third floor. Additional books relating to law are shelved
in the 340s.
Library Catalog
Find books, journal titles, and media in the Wells College Library.
WorldCat
Search for books, journal titles, dissertations, and media in other libraries, and
request them via Interlibrary Loan.
Web Resources
Intute: Politics
Intute provides links to web resources, research institutes, and statistical and methodological
sites.
Librarians' Internet Index: Politics / Law
Links to current topical sites as well as research institutes, exhibits, and digital
collections in politics, public affairs, and law.
Legislative and Policy Texts
THOMAS
Legislative information from the Library of Congress. Includes texts of bills, resolutions,
and committee reports. Updated daily. Coverage: full text available from 1989 Congress
to present Congress; summaries available dating back to 1973.
Congressional Quarterly - CQ Researcher
Non-partisan research on issues facing legislative action, searchable by year and
by topic, and includes a pro/con section. Coverage: 1991 to present.
U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO)
Congressional bills, U.S. Code, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, Congressional
Record, GAO reports, Supreme Court decisions, and more.
U.S. Government's Official Web Portal
A gateway to federal web sites including Census, Department of State, Department of
Homeland Security, and the Library of Congress. Includes information about local branches
of federal offices as well as information on legal and governmental issues.
International Affairs
GlobaLex
An encyclopedic resource with lengthy articles and links to material on trans-border
issues and multinational legal agreements, and resources on international law and
comparative law.
Official Documents of the United Nations
Full text of United Nations documents from 1993 to the present.
U.S. Department of State Country Guides
Summary information on the politics, geography, and economies of countries and regions.
Click on A-Z List of Countries and Other Areas to browse.
Reference Works
Encyclopedias and yearbooks provide summary information about persons, events, and
theories, and may be a good place to start your research. They are located in the
stacks near the main desk, and in some cases, online. Selected titles include:
The Statesman's Year-Book R 305 S79 (at reference desk)
Europa World Year Book R 341.18 E89
Credo Reference
Online reference sources including U.S. Census 2000 State & County Statistical QuickFacts, CIA World Factbook, and Dictionary of Conflict Resolution.
Evaluating and Citing Your Sources
SourceWatch
SourceWatch is a project of the Center for Media and Democracy to document the activities
of public relations firms and professionals engaged in influencing public perception,
opinion, and policy. SourceWatch also includes profiles on think tanks, industry-funded organizations, and industry-friendly
experts that work to influence public opinion and public policy on behalf of corporations,
governments, and special interests.
Check with your instructor to determine if they have a preferred citation style. The Chicago Manual of Style guide is available online. Print copies of style guides are available at the reference
desk.