Research: Researching Social Issues: Home

Journal of Social Issues

Each issue of the Journal of Social Issues features a series of articles on a current topic.

Getting Started

The sources listed here will provide you with brief, factual information about various social issues. Browsing these sources can help you identify an aspect of a topic that you want to explore more closely.

CQ Researcher
Covers the most current and controversial issues of the day with summaries, pros and cons, bibliographies and more. Provides reporting and analysis on issues in the news, including coverage of issues relating to health, social trends, criminal justice, international affairs, education, the environment, technology, and the economy.
Oxford Reference
Published by Oxford University Press, this database allows you to search for encyclopedia entries and book chapters on a variety of current issues.
Statistical Abstract of the United States
The Statistical Abstract of the United States provides a summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States. It includes indexed tables (with attached spreadsheets), both searchable and browsable. It can be used as a convenient volume for statistical reference, and as a guide to sources of more information online and in print.

Pew Research Center
Website of a non-partisan think tank featuring information and public opinion about current issues that shape our society.

BULSearch

Beginning Research at BU www.bu.edu/library

BU Libraries Search is a gateway to books (both print and ebooks); peer-reviewed articles; government documents and media.

What you need to know:

Sign In after your first search. This allows you to keep a record of your search strategies and results using My Favorites - simply click the image by each record you want to save (saved items = )
BULS searches for books, articles, and other formats such as government documents, dissertations, short news articles and images. The results list will be a combination of formats sorted by relevance. Each result indicates that it is available either in print or online -- or sometimes, both. = print
BULS does not search most newspapers (such as the New York Times); BUT we have other databases that cover newspapers and more.
To refine searches use quote marks to retrieve phrases ("gettysburg address") or consider looking for keywords only in the title (as opposed to looking in the full record.)
Need articles in "peer-reviewed journals"? No problem!

The databases listed here cover the highest-quality scholarly journals in the field; you will not have to filter out thousands of lesser quality items.
BU Library Search focuses on material we own, while these databases identify articles in journals we may not own – but material you can easily obtain (for free!) through Interlibrary Loan.

If you've signed in (IMPORTANT!) you'll see

The button takes you to ILL online request forms. The first time you use the service you'll need to add some personal info. If an item is locally available, turnaround time is approximately three working days. (This is a free service to BU students, so use it early and often!)

*NEW* Current Boston University students, faculty, and staff may borrow books from Boston College, Brandeis University, and Northeastern University with your Boston University ID (Terrier card), just as you would in Boston University Libraries.

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Health Sciences Librarian

Kate Silfen

Email Me

Contact:

Mugar Memorial Library

617-358-3965

Subjects:Health & Rehabilitation Sciences