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Quick tips for getting started with research

It is always a good strategy to:

  • understand the key terms you may be using as well as the general area that interests you;
  • think about ways to define your topic as precisely as possible (unless you have already been given a specific topic to research);
  • create a thesis statement or research question;
  • list  the main concepts (keywords) included in your thesis statement or research question;
  • find as many synonyms as you can for each main concept.  

You are now ready to start searching in the library's catalogue and e-resources.

 

Sociology - Reference resources

 

Dictionaries

Cambridge dictionary of sociology. 2006. Print. Authoritative overview of classical and contemporary sociology, including themes such as  cultural change, genetics, globalization, and information technologies.

Critical dictionary of sociology. 1989. Online. Translation of the 2nd French edition. Valuable for its overview of sociological concepts.

Dictionary of sociology. 4th edition. 2014. Print.

Penguin dictionary of sociology. 2006. 5th edition. Print. A standard reference work.

Sage dictionary of sociology. 2006. Online. Over 1,000 entries on key concepts and theorists.

 

Encyclopedias

 

Encyclopedia of identity. 2010. Ed. R. Jackson. Online.

Encyclopedia of social theory. 2004. Online. Covers the key concepts, theorists, schools, texts, and traditions, including behavior, culture, Marxism, and feminism.

Encyclopedia of sociology. 2001. 2nd edition. Online. A standard reference work in the field.

International encyclopedia of revolution and protest. Online. Important for its coverage of revolutionary social movements, left-politics, and radical leaders.

International encyclopedia of the social sciences. 2008. Online. Landmark reference work that covers methodology, disciplines, intersecting fields, and applications.

The value of reference books

When you are looking for definitions or if you are not familiar with a subject, reference works such as dictionaries and encyclopedias become invaluable because they contain relatively short, authoritative articles. These articles lay out the parameters of a topic and can assist you in providing a specific focus. Often such articles are accompanied by lists of readings or bibliographies which allow you to explore the topic further. All of the resources listed link either to the library catalogue record for each book or to an online resource or website.