Criminal Justice
Your Information Specialist
Albertsons Library
elizabethramsey@boisestate.edu
Getting Started with Research
Targeted Research Strategies for SPS - Best practices for making the most of your online searches whether in a library database, Google Scholar or a Google search.
Researching a Current Topic - This video will help you find the latest scientifically valid information out in the wilds of the internet, sometimes necessary when our topic is so new it hasn't been explored in peer reviewed articles.
Evaluating Current Information - This video provides strategies to analyze online information resources in relation to your everyday as well as your academic information needs.
Figuring out a Topic?
Use articles in review journals to get an overview of recent research on specific topics with tons of links to peer reviewed research. Some examples include:
Annual Reviews
Criminal Justice Policy Review
Criminal Justice Review
The information landscape is complex, and false and misleading information is rampant, so don't hesitate to contact me to help you navigate. We can set up a face-to-face or virtual meeting to get you going. Or you can always use the Chat feature on the library homepage, which is staffed by librarians Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.
Top Recommended Databases
- Criminal Justice Abstracts (Ebscohost)Contains comprehensive coverage of international journals, books, reports, dissertations and unpublished papers on criminology and related disciplines. 1968-Current.
- Criminal Justice Periodical Index (ProQuest)ProQuest Criminal Justice Periodicals Index™ is a comprehensive database of U.S. and international criminal justice journals.
- NCJRS abstracts database (Criminal Justice)NCJRS is a federally funded resource offering justice and substance abuse information to support research, policy, and program development worldwide.
- SAGE PREMIER (Formerly Criminology Full-Text)Includes the full-text of 24 journals published by SAGE and participating societies, some journals going back 86 years, encompassing over 20,400 articles.
- Web of Science / Web of KnowledgeA great interdisciplinary database to find good research. Look for the FIND IT button to get to the full-text!
Cite Your Sources
- Citation GuideCitation help in MLA and APA styles.
- Citation ManagersCitation managers are a great help in organizing your research. Most can also assist with in-text citations and creating a reference page.