The purpose of this course research guide is to acquaint you with some of the resources in the University Library and on the World Wide Web useful for finding information on your topic. Should you have questions, stop by the Reference Desk on the first floor. You may also call the Reference Desk at (334) 229-4110 during the hours the Library is open.

Reference Sources

Sources in the Library's Reference Collection and similar sources online can help you find brief factual information quickly. Be sure to browse the shelves near the sources listed below to find others.

• Social Work Dictionary
  Main Reference: HV 12 .B37 1999
• Encyclopedia of Social Work
  Main Reference: HV 35 .S6 1995
• Encyclopedia of Social Work - 1997 Supplement
  Main Reference: HV 35 .S6 1997
• Social Work Almanac
  Main Reference: HV 90 .G56 1995

• Social Work Almanac
  Main Reference: HV 90 .G56 1995
• Statistical Abstract of the United States
  Main Reference Desk: HA 202 .S83
  online

• Mental Measurements Yearbook (Buros)
  Main Reference: Z 5814 .P8 B932
  online (ASU)
• Test Critiques
  Main Reference Desk: BF 176 .T418
• Tests in Print
  Main Reference: Z 5814 .E9 T47

Each CQ Researcher (ASU) report focuses on a single topic related to social, economic, political, and environmental issues. They provide a chronological overview and detail recent developments and
opposing viewpoints. Each report includes a bibliography that can lead you to other sources of information on your topic.

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Journal Articles

The best method for finding journal articles is to use one of the Library's online article databases. For additional information on the databases listed below and for others, explore our list of databases. Our databases are easily accessible off campus by clicking on the database name and typing in the information requested. If you need additional assistance with accessing the databases, contact Cedric Davis (334 229-6998) or Randy Curtis (334 229-5604).

• Academic Search Premier (ASU) - general/multidisciplinary
• ERIC - (ASU) - education
• Expanded Academic ASAP (ASU) - general/multidisciplinary
• Health Sciences databases - list of the Library's databases relating to the health sciences
• Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe (ASU) - legal, medical, news

Not all of our databases provide access to the entire text of articles. If the text of an article is not available in a database, consult the following sources:

• E-Journal Finder - to determine if the article is available in another online database.
• HORNetCat - lists journals to which the Library subscribes. Journals are housed in the Serials Department on the third floor.
• Interlibrary Loan - order those articles not available in the Library or via a full-text database.

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Government Information

Federal and state governments publish a plethora of information on many topics. Although the University Library is not a depository for government documents, you can request documents through Interlibrary Loan or visit the Library at Auburn University Montgomery, which is a depository. Also, many government documents are available online.

• United States Government Manual
  Main Reference Desk: JK 421 .A3
  online
• GPO Monthly Catalog (ASU) - select GPO from the First Search screen
• GPO Access
• U.S. Department of Education
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  • National Institutes of Health
• U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• U.S. Department of Justice
  • National Criminal Justice Reference Source
• Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe: Legal Research (ASU)
• Thomas: Legislative Information on the Internet

• Alabama Government Manual
  Main Reference Desk: JK 4531 .A42 1994
• Alabama.gov
• The Alabama Legislature
• Lexis-Nexis' Academic Universe: Legal Research (ASU)

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World Wide Web

The World Wide Web is an outstanding but often bewildering source of information. Not everything you find will be authoritative, accurate, and valid. Try searching one of these databases to find more reliable Web sites.

Web Databases

• INFOMINE Scholarly Internet Resource Collections
• Librarians' Index to the Internet
• Scout Report Archives

Social Work Web Sites

• National Association of Social Workers
• SWAN - Social Work Access Network
• WWWRSW - World Wide Web Resources for Social Workers

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Citing Your Sources

You will use the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association to cite your sources. A copy of the Manual is available at the Reference Desk on the first floor of the Library. Additional assistance with citing electronic publications is available from the APA online site.

• APAStyle.org
• APA Reference Style: tightening up your citations
• APA Samples for a Bibliography
• APA Style Resources 
• Columbia Online Style: MLA-Style Citations of Electronic Sources 
• Psychology with Style

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