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SOCI 254: Research Methods

Library Workshop

Slides

Related Research Guides

Sociology Research Guide: Reference, Newspapers, and more for general sociology research
Government Information (including Census data)

Key Library Services & Tools

Vassar Library Search
Access the vast resources available at the Vassar College Libraries. Use Library Search to locate books, special collections, media, government documents, and electronic resources, including journals, journal articles, ebooks, databases, and more.
Vassar Database List
Access over 700 databases by department/program or database type. Many database links contain Vassar specific parameters; it's best practice to use the link provided by Vassar.
Proxy Server: Connecting from Off-Campus
If you are off-campus, be sure to connect to Vassar's proxy server in order to gain access to Library subscribed resources. Even if you are searching GoogleScholar, connecting to the proxy will allow you to access full-text resources or ILL services.
Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
Place an ILL request for books, articles and other materials not available at Vassar. Book request are usually filled within 1-2 weeks; book chapters and articles typically arrive electronically much faster. Vassar uses the ILLiad platform for managing requests.

REFERENCE SOURCES

Reference sources can be used to familiarize yourself with the main concepts and perspectives within a field, including theory, key figures, and more, to provide background information and context to your work.

Visit Library Rm. 123 for print reference materials. Most sociology books are found in the HM - HX call number ranges; browse the Library of Congress call number outline for specific sociology subfields.

You can also find reference books of different aspects of sociology by searching in Library Search for the subject with a subheading, e.g.:

Educational sociology--Encyclopedias | [Subject]--Dictionaries | [Subject]--Handbooks, manuals, etc.

Selected Reference Works

Oxford Bibliographies Online
Authoritative research guides to current scholarship in a variety of subject areas. Includes both annotated bibliographies and encyclopedia-like articles written and reviewed by subject specialists. Vassar's access does not include all subjects. Full list available below.
African American Studies
African Studies
American Literature
Anthropology
Atlantic History
British and Irish literature
Buddhism
Greek and Roman studies
Islamic studies
Latin American Studies
Music
Philosophy
Political science
Sociology
SAGE Research Methods
Books, reference works, journal articles, instructional videos, and data sets; large collection of qualitative methods books

Global Social Issues: An Encyclopedia (2013)
The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Social Movements (2018)
Books about Writing & Research
In Rm 123 towards the hallway leading to Taylor Hall, you will find a shelf containing a collection of books for research and writing. This is on the other side of the Faculty Authors collection.