Reference Resources
Reference works are a great way to get an introduction to a subject. They may contain specific information or introductory articles. Types of reference sources include encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks, atlases, and more.
On this page, you will find reference sources specific to Political Science research and related topics.
Reference Books
Print reference books are shelved with our General Collection. Use the chart in the Research Tip section to learn more about how they are shelved.
This is just a small selection of the variety of political science reference works we have available. Ask a librarian for help finding more.
Concise Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy by
The most complete and up-to-date philosophy reference for a new generation, with entries ranging from Abstract Objects to Wisdom, Socrates to Jean-Paul Sartre, Ancient Egyptian Philosophy to Yoruba Epistemology. The Concise Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy includes: * More than 2000 alphabetically arranged, accessible entries * Contributors from more than 1200 of the world's leading thinkers * Comprehensive coverage of the classic philosophical themes, such as Plato, Arguments for the Existence of God and Metaphysics * Up-to-date coverage of contemporary philosophers, ideas, schools and recent developments, including Jacques Derrida, Poststructuralism and Ecological Philosophy * Unrivalled international and multicultural scope with entries such as Modern Islamic Philosophy, Marxist Thought in Latin America and Chinese Buddhist Thought * An exhaustive index for ease of use * Extensive cross-referencing * Suggestions for further reading at the end of each entry
Call Number: Online accessISBN: 9781134593927Publication Date: 2013-01-11
The Encyclopedia of Politics: the Left and the Right by
Confused about what constitutes the right and left in politics? Blame the French Revolution. Buut once you have done that, consult this set of two volmes -- one left, one right.
Call Number: JA61 .E54 2005ISBN: 1412904099Publication Date: 2005
The International Encyclopedia of Revolution and Protest by
Multi-volume set covers from 1500 to the present. If you want to know why the Intifada or the Abalone Alliance matter, or not, this set will help you figure it out.
Call Number: JC491 .I58 2009ISBN: 9781405184649Publication Date: 2009
The SAGE Handbook of Research Methods in Political Science and International Relations by
The SAGE Handbook of Research Methods in Political Science and International Relations offers a comprehensive overview of research processes in social science -- from the ideation and design of research projects, through the construction of theoretical arguments, to conceptualization, measurement, & data collection, and quantitative & qualitative empirical analysis -- exposited through 65 major new contributions from leading international methodologists. Each chapter surveys, builds upon, and extends the modern state of the art in its area. Following through its six-part organization, undergraduate and graduate students, researchers and practicing academics will be guided through the design, methods, and analysis of issues in Political Science and International Relations: Part One: Formulating Good Research Questions & Designing Good Research Projects Part Two: Methods of Theoretical Argumentation Part Three: Conceptualization & Measurement Part Four: Large-Scale Data Collection & Representation Methods Part Five: Quantitative-Empirical Methods Part Six: Qualitative & "Mixed" Methods
Call Number: Online accessISBN: 9781526459930Publication Date: 2020-10-23
General Research Databases
- AM Research Skills This link opens in a new window
Includes nearly 200 hundred essays, videos, "How to" guides and case studies by subject specialists which answer questions about working with primary sources. Materials provide guidance on where to find historical documents, and how to best to approach analyzing the content they hold.
- Gale eBooks This link opens in a new window
Explore this database of encyclopedias and reference sources within the Gale eBooks platform. For multidisciplinary research.
- Oxford Reference Library This link opens in a new window
Oxford Reference includes in-depth, specialized titles across Oxford University Press’s Dictionaries, Companions and Encyclopedias, spanning 25 different subject areas with a collection of 2 million digitized entries.
- Sage Research Methods This link opens in a new window
Sage Research Methods supports research at all levels by providing material to guide users through every step of the research process.
Research Tip
You might notice that the print books highlighted here have a call number that starts with JA or JC. This is the area of the library where you will find books covering Political Science. In the Olin Library it's on the 3rd floor (one flight up from the Main Floor where you enter). Turn left when you reach the 3rd floor and look for the J's on the book spines.
| Call Number Starts With | Topic Covered |
| J | General legislative and executive papers |
| JA | Political science (general) |
| JC | Political theory |
| JF | Political institutions and public administration |
| JJ | Political institutions and public administration (North America) |
| JK | Political institutions and public administration (United States) |
| JL | Political insitutions and public administration (Canada, Latin America, etc.) |
| JN | Political institutions and public administration (Europe) |
| JQ | Political institutions and public administration (Asia, Africa, Australia, Pacific Area, etc.) |
| JS | Local government. Municipal government |
| JV | Colonies and colonization. Emigration and immigration. International migration. |
| JZ | International relations |
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