How to Find Library Resources – Child Development and Social Policy
I. Consider starting with an Encyclopedia Article
· Get an overview of the topic
· Discover ways to narrow the topic
· Find possible key words
· Find sources
Print Encyclopedias to consider (these can be found on the top level, above the entry):
International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences: R 300.3 I61
Encyclopedia of Psychology: R 150.3 E565 (4 Volumes)
APA Dictionary of Psychology: R 150.3 A639
The Dictionary of Psychology: R 150.3 C826d
Handbook of Child Psychology: R 155.4 H236 (4 Volumes)
II. Check for Scholarly Books in your area
Use online catalogs to find books at our library or other libraries around the nation.
You can browse relevant sections of the collection, as well (See the front desk or http://www.oclc.org/dewey/resources/summaries/ for a thorough listing of Dewey Decimal listings). Most behavioral science material will be located in the 100s and 300s, but you will find many items spread throughout the collection)
Try browsing in the 305.2 section for child development materials
Our catalog can be found by clicking the catalog link at: http://blogs.mcpherson.edu/library/
Enter your search terms to find out what we have IN OUR LIBRARY
If we do not have what you are looking for, we can find something at another library.
· To search for items in Kansas, return to our Online Resources page at: http://blogs.mcpherson.edu/library/online-resources/
Then click on the link for Kansas Library Catalog and search for your topic.
· To search for items outside of Kansas, go to the Online Resources page, click on the WorldCat link and perform your search
o Once you have found a book that interests you, we can request it through Interlibrary Loan (ILL). There are a few ways to do this:
o You can find a link that says “request this item” or “ILL”. If you click that link, you will have to fill out a form with your contact information and then SUBMIT the form.
· Another way to request an item is to click the link for “Interlibrary Loan Request” on the library homepage: http://blogs.mcpherson.edu/library/
o You will have to fill out and submit another form. Be sure to include the title, author, contact info and any other information that can help me find the book.
III. Narrowing your research with Scholarly Journal Articles
Many online journals can be found through our databases:
http://blogs.mcpherson.edu/library/online-resources/
· EbscoHost
o SocINDEX
§ Child Development (1930 – Present)
§ Child & Family Social Work (1998 – Present)
§ Children and Society (1996 – Present)
§ Children’s Services: Social Policy, Research & Practice (1999 – 2002)
§ Social Policy (1990 – Present)
§ Social Policy Journal (2002 – Present)
§ Child Welfare (1965 – Present)
o You can choose to search through thousands of journals or one specific journal
§ To search within one specific journal:
· Select SocINDEX as your database
· Click “Publications” on the top menu
· Search by keyword, title, subject
· Click on the title of your selected journal
· You can then browse through issues by year, or
· Click “search within this publication” and add your search terms to the main search bar
· Open Access Journals
o The Future of Children
http://www.futureofchildren.org/futureofchildren/publications/journals/
o Social Policy Report
http://www.srcd.org/
Publications -> Social Policy Report -> Current and Recent Issues
o International Journal of Child, Youth & Family Studies
http://journals.uvic.ca/index.php/ijcyfs
If you cannot find what you need in these databases, please check with the librarian.
Contact Matt Upson for assistance: email -
phone ext. 2487 (620-242-0487 from off-campus)