Oxford University Library Services WISER Social Sciences: Electronic Resources for Research An introduction to the networked databases available through the Oxford Libraries Information Platform (OXLIP) with a particular focus on those relevant to research in the social sciences such as Cambridge Scientific Abstracts and the International Bibliography of the Social Sciences. Judy Reading & Emma Sullivan

Oxford University Library Services What is OXLIP? OXLIP (Oxford Libraries Information Platform) is a gateway to hundreds of electronic resources

Oxford University Library Services Select the Most Appropriate Database ● Type of information - catalogues- abstracting & indexing services - reference works- full-text resources - statistical resources- official publications - geographical resources- biographical resources - current awareness services - etc. ● Subject coverage ● Dates covered and last updated ● Language and geographical scope

Oxford University Library Services Access to OXLIP ● OxLIP on the Web ● OxLIP on your PC ● Athens password ● MyAthens ● OxLIP from outside Oxford ● Frequently asked questions, including further information on database and electronic journal access, are

Oxford University Library Services How to approach an unfamiliar database

Oxford University Library Services Search Strategy ● Authors names: entered in a particular format (check the online help). If possible use the database index to find different forms of author’s name, otherwise truncate first initial ● Subject search: Break research query down in to significant keywords, consider synonyms & British and US spellings. Apply truncation, usually * to find plurals/alternative word endings and ? to replace a single character. Combine search terms using and, or, not, near, “phrase” etc ● Expand search by following hypertext links, e.g. for alternative subject headings ● Use tagging facilities within database to mark articles for printing, ing, downloading or exporting

Oxford University Library Services Examples of databases  TdNET  CSA  IBSS

Oxford University Library Services TDNet for Electronic Journals ● Access at ● Conduct a Quick Search by journal title ● Extent of coverage depends on licensing arrangements and any one ejournal may have several entries ● TDNet offers searching by subject. You can also search by journal information (i.e. title, publisher, vendor and ISSN). Searching by tables of contents is generally for the most recent year only ● Create a profile on MyTDNet for weekly current contents alerts and to search or browse a subset of journals ZETOC - BLhttp://tdnet.bodley.ox.ac.uk/

Oxford University Library Services Abstracting and Indexing Services ● BIDS International Bibliography of the Social Sciences Comprehensive, international coverage from 1951 onwards. Articles from 2,700 social science journals and chapters from 7,000 books indexed each year. Source ● Worldwide Political Science Abstracts A new and developing service. Part of Cambridge Scientific Abstracts, covering international serials literature for political science and international relations from

Oxford University Library Services Other databases for you to try  Web of Knowledge (SSCI)

Oxford University Library Services Citation searching using the Social Sciences Citation Index Purpose: track the impact of research through time and across subject boundaries Content: indexes articles and their bibliographies from over 1,700 social science journals as well as relevant items from 3,300 science and technology journals. Data begins in 1981 and is updated weekly. Some 60% of records contain abstracts. A journal source list is available at

Oxford University Library Services Other databases for you to try  Web of Knowledge (SSCI)  Catalogues

Oxford University Library Services Catalogues ● OLIS Union catalogue of over 5 million titles from 100 Oxford Libraries ● British Library OPAC Materials available in reading rooms and items available for interlibrary loan ● COPAC Union catalogue of 24 of the largest UK academic and research libraries formed by merging the library catalogues of CURL (Consortium of University Research Libraries) ● RLG’s Eureka Global union catalogue for academic and research libraries; over 40 million titles from the Research Libraries Group WorldCat OCLC catalog of books, web resources, and other material worldwide. COVERAGE: Over 40 million records of any type of material catalogued by OCLC member libraries. Includes manuscripts written as early as the 11th century. Updated daily.

Oxford University Library Services Other databases for you to try  Web of Knowledge (SSCI)  Catalogues  Theses and Dissertations

Oxford University Library Services Theses and Dissertations  Dissertation Abstracts  Mostly North American doctoral dissertations

Oxford University Library Services Other OxLIP resources include: ● Oxford Analytica Research and Teaching Archive 18 year archive of over 20,000 analytical articles covering global and regional politics and economics. An embargo of 90 days applies ● Lexis Nexis Global coverage of newspapers, updated daily, source list ● International Encyclopaedia of the Social & Behavioural Sciences In-depth articles are supported by abstracts and hyperlinks facilitate cross-referencing ● BOPCAS British Official Publications Search and browse 28,000 references to key official publications from July 1995 onwards. Includes some links to full-texthttp://web.nexis.com/sources/

Oxford University Library Services Finding information on the Web: ● Subject gateways ● Online tutorials ● Search engines ● Always consider: - Authority and accuracy: who wrote it and are they qualified to do so, what institution published it? - Objectivity: does the document express opinions and how are they supported? What is its purpose? - Currency: when was it published, last updated? JISCmailhttp://

Oxford University Library Services ESRC Society Today ● From April and will be replaced by a new service ● Brings together research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council ● The website will include early findings, full-texts & original data sets, as well as details on available funding and training ● Will be able to register for news bulletins and alertshttp://

Oxford University Library Services User guides & workbooks: ● International Bibliography of the Social Sciences ● Web of Science: Social Science Citation Index ● Social Science Information Gateway ● Regard ● INFORMS (information skills tutorials)

Oxford University Library Services We are here to help!  Remember we are here to help you!  Make an appointment for individual assistance with your subject librarian, if in doubt contact Judy Reading or Emma Sullivan  Other training is available from OULS, see: 