POEC5303-Public Policymaking and Institutions

1. POEC5303-Public Policymaking and Institutions Hillary Campbell Government Documents Librarian 9-18-04

2. Using the Library’s Databases vs. “Straight to Google” • Access to very specific information • Relatively high degree of authority on the information found within • No duplicates • More powerful “advanced” searching

3. Accessing the Library’s Databases • When on campus, via the McDermott Library Reference webpage: http://www.utdallas.edu/library/ • When off campus, via the McDermott Library Proxy Server – login using your activated Comet Card http://libproxy.utdallas.edu/login

4. Suggested Databases • LexisNexis Academic Universe – Law Reviews • PAIS • Worldwide Political Science Abstracts • Social Sciences Citation Index • America: History and Life

5. How Do I Find the Full Text of an Article • Start with the citation • Search the library’s catalog for the journal title • Check the library’s holdings information • Access the article in microfilm, hard copy or electronically • Use InterLibrary Loan to get articles published in journals to which the library does not subscribe

6. Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe • Federal and state court decisions, federal and state codes, and articles from law reviews • Articles from various legal publications Why? Contains full-text law reviews

7. Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe Tips • Legal Research Law Reviews • Adjust your publication date range, or you will only get articles published in the last 6 months! http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/ dbases.htm

8. PAIS • Index for public policy and social issues • Some full-text from 1977 • Citations occasionally include an abstract, from 1915 • Coverage begins in 1915 • Indexes periodicals, books, hearings, reports, government publications Why? Best public policy database

9. PAIS Tips • Search PAIS Online for 1977 – Present • Search PAIS Archive for 1915 – 1976 • In PAIS Online, you can limit to peer-reviewed publications http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/ dbases.htm

10. Worldwide Political Science Abstracts • Indexes citations with abstracts – no full text • Public affairs periodicals, major news magazines, professional journals and books on politics and political analysis • Foreign and domestic politics • 1975 – Present Why? Excellent abstracts!

11. Worldwide Political Science Abstracts Tips • Use “United States” as the Country of Publication to limit to articles on domestic issues • Search using the “Advanced” function – it’s actually easier to use http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/ dbases.htm

12. Social Sciences Citation Index • Large social science journal article index • Citations usually included • 1975 – Present Why? Cited Author and Cited Reference searching

13. Social Sciences Citation Index Tips • Look closely – you might find a link to the full text • Don’t forget about the cited author/cited reference searching http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/ dbases.htm

14. America: History & Life • Citations for articles on United States cultural, social, economic, diplomatic and military history • Articles published 1964 – Present • Occasional links to full-text Why? Best database for American history topics

15. America: History & Life Tips • Use the icon to browse subject, author, date, document type, etc. Paste selections into search. • Use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOR) to search with multiple terms. Use “” around phrases. http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/ dbases.htm

16. Interlibrary Loan • Obtain articles, books, conference proceedings, theses, or dissertations not owned by the McDermott Library • Complete online form to request • Most articles delivered electronically and can be accessed for a limited number of days http://www.utdallas.edu/library/howto/forms/illforms.htm

17. How Can I Make Sure an Article is Peer-Reviewed? Use Library’s Online Indexes of Journal Titles • Ulrichsweb - Search by the journal title. If the record indicates that a publication is “Refereed”, then it is a peer-reviewed title. • Serials Directory – Search by the journal title. Look for “yes” or “no” beside the Peer-Reviewed entry http://www.utdallas.edu/library/collections/ dbases.htm

18. WWW Resource for State of Texas Research House Research Organization - Nonpartisan source of impartial information on legislation and issues considered by the Texas Legislature • Focus Reports provide a thorough examination of a particular issue • Bill Analyses http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/hrofr/frame4.htm

19. Plagiarism • What is Plagiarism? – Office of Scholastic Dishonesty • Answers to Confusing Plagiarism Questions – www.plagiarism.org • Citing – www.plagiarism.org • McDermott Library Online Plagiarism Tutorial

20. Plagiarism – Print Resources in the McDermott Library • Publish, don't perish : the scholar's guide to academic writing and publishing • Student cheating and plagiarism in the Internet era : a wake-up call • Little, Brown Guide to Research and Documentation • MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers Search by title in the library catalog…

21. Final Research Tips • Don’t forget the Reference Librarians! • Mon-Thur: 9am – 10pm • Fri: 9am-8pm • Sat:10am-7pm • Sun:1pm-10pm

22. How to Get Help from Home • Email http://www.utdallas.edu/library/howto/forms/erfform.html • Chat http://www.lib.utsystem.edu/students/ ask.html

23. Want to See This Presentation Again? http://www.utdallas.edu/~hxc024100/ presentations.html Links to this version, as well as an extended version (includes screenshots of examples)

24. University of Texas - Dallas An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action University P. O. Box 830643 Richardson, TX 75083-0643 972-883-2955 September 18, 2004