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Family Topics:

A Research Guide

Contents: Finding Books | Finding Articles | Journals and Magazines | Locating Journals and Magazines | Newspapers | Encyclopedias | Bibliographies | Government Publications | Citing Your Research

Finding Books

DELCAT is the online catalog of the University of Delaware Library. Use DELCAT for information about books, videos, maps, and other materials in the Library collection. You can search DELCAT using keywords or browse titles, authors, subjects, etc. Examples of searches:

Search by keyword: Browse by subject:
  families and divorce   African American families--history
  genogram   family--United States--psychological aspects
  mid-life crisis   life cycle, human
      family policy

Finding Articles (Databases/Indexes)

Use databases (or indexes) to identify articles (or book chapters or dissertations) on specific topics. Sometimes the database will link to an online version of the article. Otherwise, the database will provide information about the article. Then consult DELCAT to see if the Library subscribes to the journal or magazine. Databases having the Article Express indicator About Article Express offer quick access to Library electronic journals and to the DELCAT information on Library subscriptions.

Academic OneFile.  About Article Express
Location: Library Databases [restricted to UD]
A comprehensive database covering more than 8,000 periodicals, including scholarly journals, general interest magazines, and newspapers.
Education Full Text.  About Article Express
Location: Library Databases [restricted to UD]
Indexes periodicals and books covering a wide range of education related topics.
ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center).  About Article Express
Location: Library Databases [restricted to UD]
Location: Internet (http://www.eric.ed.gov/) (free Internet resource)
ERIC indexes journals which focus on education and development. ERIC includes references to "educational documents" (designated ED), such as research reports, conference papers, etc. Covers 1966 to present. NOTE: ED reports are available full text on the Web from 1993 to present. Earlier ED reports are available in microfiche format in the ERIC Documents Microfiche Collection (Microfiche S 107) on the Lower Level.
Family & Society Studies Worldwide.  About Article Express
Location: Library Databases [restricted to UD]
A multi-disciplinary database covering family studies, human development, health, parenting and many other topics related to Individual and Family Studies. It indexes over a thousand professional journals, books, popular literature, conference papers, government reports, and other sources.
PsycINFO.  About Article Express
Location: Library Databases [restricted to UD]
Indexes journals in psychology and related social science disciplines. Covers 1887 to present. Also includes indexing for chapters and articles in books, 1987 to present.
PubMed.
Location: Library Databases
Location: Internet (http://www.pubmed.gov) or (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=PubMed)(free Internet resource)
Comprehensive index of journal articles in medicine and biological sciences.
Sociological Abstracts.  About Article Express
Location: Library Databases [restricted to UD]
Indexes journals in sociology, criminal justice, social work, and related social sciences disciplines. Covers 1974 to present.
Web of Science (Social Sciences Citation Index / ISI Citation Databases).  About Article Express
Location: Library Databases [restricted to UD]
A comprehensive index of journal articles in the science, social sciences, and humanities. Offers a special feature called "cited reference" searching. In social sciences, the index covers 1974 to present.

Journals and Magazines

Articles in journals and magazines (periodicals) are an important source of current information on research topics. While general interest periodicals (magazines) are occassionally used, most of your research will be in scholarly or professional journals. Some journals are "peer-reviewed" or "refereed" indicating that they are scholarly journals using qualified scholars and or practitioners to review the articles prior to publication. The Library has many magazines and journals which feature family topics. Examples:

Publishing in Journals on the Family: A Survey and Guide for Scholars, Practitioners, and Students. New York: Haworth Press, 1992.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref HQ518 .P83 1992)
Mothering. (magazine)
Location: Morris Library (RG525 .M67) 1989-1992
Location: Library Databases (via Academic OneFile, InfoTrac General OneFile, and Health Reference Center) [restricted to UD]
Indexed in Academic OneFile and Health Reference Center and indexed selectively in Family & Society Studies Worldwide.
Parents. (magazine)
Location: Morris Library (HQ768 .P36)
Location: Morris Library - Microforms (Microfiche S146)
Location: Library Databases (via InfoTrac General OneFile) [restricted to UD]
Indexed in Academic OneFile, Family & Society Studies Worldwide, and Health Reference Center.
Child Development.
Location: Morris Library (HQ750 .A1 C46)
Location: Library Annex (HQ750 .A1 C46)
Location: Library Electronic Journals [restricted to UD]
Location: Library Databases (via Academic OneFile and Health Reference Center) [restricted to UD]
Indexed in ERIC, Family & Society Studies Worldwide, PsycINFO, PubMed, Sociological Abstracts, and Web of Science.
Family Relations.
Location: Morris Library (HQ1 .F337) v.49(2000)-v.53(2004)
Location: Library Annex (HQ1 .F337) v.29(1980)-v.48(1999)
Location: Library Electronic Journals (via JSTOR) vol.29(1980)-v.50(2001)
Location: Library Electronic Journals (via Synergy) vol.49(2000)-
Location: Library Electronic Journals (via Ingenta Connect) vol.50(2001)-
Indexed in Academic OneFile, ERIC, Family & Society Studies Worldwide, PsycINFO, PubMed, Sociological Abstracts, and Web of Science.
Journal of Aging Studies.
Location: Morris Library (HQ1060 .J65)
Location: Library Electronic Journals [restricted to UD]
Location: Library Databases (via Academic OneFile) 1996-2001 [restricted to UD]
Indexed in Academic OneFile, Family & Society Studies Worldwide, PsycINFO, PubMed, Sociological Abstracts, and Web of Science.
Journal of Comparative Family Studies.
Location: Morris Library (HQ1 .J58)
Location: Library Databases (via Academic OneFile) [restricted to UD]
Indexed in Family & Society Studies Worldwide, Health Reference Center, PsycINFO, PubMed, Sociological Abstracts, and Web of Science.
Journal of Early Adolescence.
Location: Morris Library (HQ796 .J624)
Location: Library Electronic Journals [restricted to UD]
Indexed in ERIC, Family & Society Studies Worldwide, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science, and selectively in Sociological Abstracts.
Journal of Marriage and the Family.
Location: Morris Library (HQ1 .J64)
Location: Library Electronic Journals [restricted to UD]
Indexed in Academic OneFile, ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center), Family & Society Studies Worldwide, PsycINFO, PubMed, Sociological Abstracts, and Web of Science.
Merrill Palmer Quarterly.
Location: Morris Library (HQ1 .M46)
Location: Library Electronic Journals [restricted to UD]
Location: Library Databases (via Academic OneFile and Education Full Text) [restricted to UD]
Indexed in ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center), Family & Society Studies Worldwide, PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, and selectively in Sociological Abstracts.
Studies in Family Planning.
Location: Morris Library (HQ763 .S8)
Location: Library Electronic Journals [restricted to UD]
Indexed in Academic OneFile, Family & Society Studies Worldwide, Health Reference Center, PubMed, Sociological Abstracts, and Web of Science.

Locating Journals and Magazines (Periodicals)

Consult DELCAT or the Electronic Journals list to determine if the Library has a subscription to a particular journal or magazine. Search for the TITLE of the publication that has the article you need.

Current print issues of magazines and journals are located in the Periodicals Room on the First Floor and are arranged by the title of the publication. Older print magazines and journals are bound into volumes and are assigned call numbers. For example, the Merrill Palmer Quarterly has the call number HQ1 .M46 and the bound volumes are on the 3rd floor (3rd floor has call numbers A-H).

DELCAT and the Electronic Journals list provide information about Library online periodicals. Look for the name of the magazine or journal to determine if the Library has an electronic subscription and which years, volumes and issues are covered. One or more URLs will link to the issues. (Databases having the Article Express indicator About Article Express offer quick access to Library electronic journals and to the DELCAT information on Library subscriptions.)

Newspapers

Newspapers are a good source for current information. Current issues of print newspapers are kept in the Periodicals Room until they are replaced by a microform copy. Additionally, some newspaper articles are available electronically through databases such as LexisNexis Academic.

LexisNexis Academic.
Location: Library Databases [restricted to UD]
One of the best sources for current information, especially from newspapers or wire services. Most of the citations have full text of the article. Includes articles from the New York Times and selected articles from the Philadelphia Inquirer. Also includes full text articles from selected magazines and journals.
New York Times.
Location: Morris Library - Periodicals Room (current issues)
Location: Morris Library - Microforms (Microfilm S 4)
Location: Library Databases [restricted to UD] (historical; 1851-4 years ago)
Location: Library Databases (via LexisNexis Academic) [restricted to UD]
Location: Library Databases (via Academic OneFile) [restricted to UD] (1995- )
 
Philadelphia Inquirer.
Location: Morris Library - Periodicals Room (current issues)
Location: Morris Library - Microforms (Microfilm S 410)
Location: Internet (http://www.philly.com/inquirer/)
Location: Morris Library - Microforms (CD-ROM 169)
Location: Library Databases (via LexisNexis Academic) [restricted to UD]
Philly.com is the official website for the newspaper; however, only articles from the current week are available free of charge. The Library has back issues of the Philadelphia Inquirer in microfilm format. (Additionally, the Library has 1987 to 1992 in CD-ROM format.)
News Journal. Wilmington, Delaware: News Journal Co.
Location: Morris Library - Periodicals Room (current issues)
Location: Library Databases [restricted to UD] 1999 - present
Location: Morris Library - Microforms (S 7)
Location: Internet (http://www.delawareonline.com/) Selected articles
The major newspaper for northern Delaware. The delawareonline site is the newspaper's official website, however only articles from the current week and selected features are available free of charge. The Library has back issues of the News Journal in microfilm format. Additionally, the Library subscribes to an online database that contains text only of articles from 1999 to present.

At various points in your research, you may need particular types of information. Some examples are:

Encyclopedias and Handbooks

Encyclopedias and Handbooks provide background and general information on subjects and persons. Useful for concepts and terms used in particular fields of research. Some are useful for statistics and quick information on specific topics.

Blackwell Handbook of Adolescence. Edited by Gerald R. Adams and Michael D. Berzonsky. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub., c2003.
Location: Library Databases (via xreferplus) [restricted to UD]
Location: Morris Library (BF724 .B487 2003)
Encyclopedia of Aging. Edited by David J. Ekerdt. New York: Macmillan, 2002.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref HQ1061 .E534 2002)
Families in America: A Reference Handbook. Edited by Jeffrey S. Turner. Contemporary world issues series. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2002.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref HQ536 .T798 2002)
Statistical Abstract of the United States. Washington, DC: Bureau of the Census. Annual.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (CD-ROM 215) Computer #36
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref HA 202 .A1) Latest ed. at Reference Desk
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents (U.S. Doc Census Area first row)
Location: Internet (http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/)
A statistical compendium.
Kids Count in Delaware / Families Count in Delaware. Newark, DE: Families Count in Delaware, University of Delaware. Annual.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref HV742 .D3 K53) Latest ed.
Location: Internet (http://www.dekidscount.org/kidscountoverview.html)

Bibliographies

Bibliographies are lists of books or journal articles on various topics. The term "bibliography" is a subheading for many subjects. Browse "Subject begins with..." in DELCAT, for example: family--bibliography.

Family Disintegration: A Bibliography with Indexes. New York: Nova Science Publishers, 2002.
Location: Morris Library (Z7164 .M2 F354 2002)

U.S. Government Publications and Law

Government publications are especially valuable for statistics, law, and policy. The University of Delaware Library is an officially designated depository for federal publications. Most of the government document collection is not listed in DELCAT. Additionally, the library receives many publications from foreign governments and from intergovernmental organizations, such as the United Nations. You may require assistance with older materials, case law, statutes, or regulations.

Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.
Location: Internet (http://catalog.gpo.gov/)
A catalog of federal government publications covering 1976 to present.
LexisNexis Congressional.
Location: Library Databases [restricted to UD]
Provides comprehensive access to United States legislative information, including the transcripts of testimony given in hearings. Has extensive links to other legislative and political websites.
Mental Health in Children and Youth: Issues Throughout the Developmental Process: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, United States Senate, One Hundred Eighth Congress, Second Session, on Examining Mental Health in Children and Youth, .... Washington, DC: U.S. G.P.O., 2004.
Location: Internet (http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS57736)
Location: Morris Library - U.S. Documents (U.S. Doc Microfiche Y 4.L 11/4:S.HRG.108-682)

Citing Your Research

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. 5th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2001.
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref BF76.7 .P83 2001) Reference Desk
Location: Morris Library - Reference (Ref BF76.7 .P83 2001)
Location: Morris Library - Reserve Room  (BF76.7 .P83 2001) 2 Hr. Loan
Location: Internet (http://www.apastyle.org/)
The official style guide of the American Psychological Association. The website, called ApaStyle.org, gives some explanation on using the Manual. It includes the recommendations for Electronic References. Also see the Library guide: APA Citation Style.
RefWorks.
Location: Library Databases [restricted to UD]
RefWorks is a citation management tool. You can create the citations / footnotes and reference list / bibliography for your research paper, using APA citation style or any other citation style.
This page is maintained by Rebecca Knight, Reference Department.
Questions or comments?
Version: 04/07
Last modified: 09/07/07
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