This webpage aims to connect you to resources to assist you in your research.

Valdosta State University's Odum Library Homepage

• Getting Started (video guide)
• Anywhere Access
• Log in to Anywhere Access to use library resources while off-campus.
• Live Chat
  • The Live Chat page shows ways to contact a Reference Librarian.  Contact methods include online chat, text message, email, phone, or visiting us in person during normal reference desk hours.
• Schedule a research consultation with a librarian for in-depth help
  • With this online form, you may request an appointment with a reference librarian for assistance with your research. We request 48 hours' notice to allow time for scheduling.
• GIL-Find@VSU
  • Locate books in the Odum Library
  • Search for Library of Congress Subject Headings
• ILL (Inter-Library Loan)
  • ILL - Odum Express
  • ILL FAQs
• Odum Library subject guide for Education

Print Reference Materials

You will find print reference sources in both the main reference collection and the "reference alcove." Please ask the Reference Librarian on duty at the reference desk for assistance in finding materials.

An example of a print reference resource

Online Reference Sources

• Virtual Reference Library (Gale)
• SIRS Knowledge Source
• E-Reference Shelf

An example of an online reference resource

Finding Databases to search for Scholarly Articles

• Go to the library home page (www.valdosta.edu/library/).
• Click on the Articles tab, if it is not already selected.
• Click the arrow for the drop menu located under Articles & Databases by Subject to reach subject pages for VSU majors.

Finding Articles

• Use Ulrich's to determine if a journal is refereed (peer reviewed). Look for the referee's shirt!
• If you have a citation, use the black "journals" tab at the Odum Library homepage to search for that title.

Recommended Databases for Sociology

• Specific Sociological Databases
  • SocINDEX with Full Text
    • SocINDEX is an EBSCO database that provides access to a multitude of full-text sociology articles.
  • Social Services Abstracts
  • Sociological Abstracts
    • For both Sociological and Social Services Abstracts, be sure to check the citation for a "Full Text Linking" link before clicking on the "Find It" button.  The "Find It" button does not recognize links outside of the database to full text.
  • Sociological Collection
    • Sociological Collection is a ProQuest sociology database with full-text articles.
  • Social Science Research Network
    • SSRN is an open-access database that provides abstracts for Social Sciences eJournals that cover over 400 different Social Sciences subject areas.

Dissertations & Theses

• ProQuest Dissertations & Theses

Government Documents

Publications of the federal government can be excellent primary sources. The following search engines may be useful:

• FDSys
• MetaLib
• USA.gov Search engine for U.S. and state government web sites. Go to "Find Government Agencies" to locate the U.S. Dept. of Education

Census Data: American Factfinder

Help with getting articles full-text or in print

• Getting Your Hands on the Articles (guide)
• Using the Find It Button (video guide to accessing articles from database searches)

Quiz

Please click the question mark (below) to enter the Quiz.

Howard S. Carrier, LL.M, M.S.L.S., 20th September 2012.