Sociology information sources
Academic Liaison Librarian: Lindsey Myers
Electronic journals
- Electronic Journals at York
Provides links to an alphabetical list of full text electronic journals available at York, subject lists of full text and other electronic journals, publishers' collections of electronic journals, online newspapers and news services and directories of electronic journals.
Free electronic journals related to sociology
- Sociological Research Online - "high quality applied sociology, focusing on theoretical, empirical and methodological discussions which engage with current political, cultural and intellectual topics and debates." Issues are published quarterly, on the last days of February, May, August and November.
- Social Research Update - a quarterly magazine published quarterly by the Department of Sociology, University of Surrey, covering methodology developments, currently available online without access restrictions.
Databases and datasets
- MetaLib (York users only)
A gateway to bibliographic databases, statistical datasets, electronic journals and other Web resources available to members of the University. Includes guides and links to help. Also allows cross-searching of resources, and Alerts. Login with your University username and password to access all of these features.
Directories of sociology resources
- BUBL Link: Sociology - a nationally-funded catalogue of selected internet resources for the UK higher education community. International list of links (with descriptions) can be searched, or browsed by subject area e.g. Social Interaction, Culture and Institutions.
- Internet Sociologist - "a teach-yourself tutorial on Internet information skills for sociologists", including a tour of useful sites, tips on techniques for effective searching and evaluation, and quizzes to reinforce understanding of key concepts. Written by Suzanne Barbalet, Department of Sociology, University of Surrey.
- A Sociological Tour Through Cyberspace - searchable directory of "sites to stimulate the sociological imagination", plus commentary, compiled by Professor Michael C Kearl of Trinity University (USA). Updated daily.
- Intute: Sociology - an extensive nationally-funded gateway to free Internet resources on sociology, which can be browsed by subject or searched by keyword. Browsing can be restricted to UK or European resources. Sites are described in detail.
- WWW Virtual Library: Sociology - a very comprehensive list of sites worldwide, listed by resource type (e.g. "directories", "newsgroups", "archives"), or searchable by keyword. Maintained by Dr Carl Cuneo, Dept of Sociology, McMaster University, Canada.
Academic sites
- Lancaster University Department of Sociology - "home to one of the leading and most exciting teams of sociologists and cultural analysts in the UK". Unrestricted access to preprints of departmental research papers (1992-).
- Sociology at Surrey - the large website of the Department of Sociology, Surrey University. Provides information on staff, research, courses etc.
- Birkbeck Institute of Social Research - "a cross-Faculty interdisciplinary research centre that acts as a hub for a wide variety of social research taking place at Birkbeck and beyond".
Professional associations
- American Communication Association – "The ACA is a not-for-profit virtual professional association with actual presence in the world of communication scholars and practitioners. ACA is committed to enabling the effective use of new and evolving technologies to facilitate communication instruction, research and criticism, and to offering a technologically supportive venue for all who study the ways in which humans communicate.".
- American Sociological Association – “Working at national and international levels, the Association aims to articulate policy and implement programs likely to have the broadest possible impact for sociology now and in the future.”
- British Sociological Association – “promotes sociology, supports sociologists, and is the public face of sociology in Britain.”
- European Sociological Association (ESA) - "aims to facilitate sociological research, teaching and communication on European issues, and to give sociology a voice in European affairs." Includes the European Societies Discussion Forum, for debate and comment on topics arising from the official journal of the ESA, “European Societies Forum.”
- International Sociological Association - "founded in 1949 under the auspices of UNESCO... to represent sociologists everywhere, regardless of their school of thought, scientific approaches or ideological opinion, and to advance sociological knowledge throughout the world". Site in English, French and Spanish provides information about ISA's research committees, working groups and publications, plus the results of a 1998 survey to identify the 10 most useful Books of the Century for sociologists.
Sociological theory
- Durkheim Pages - "information concerning the great French sociologist and philosopher, Emile Durkheim (1858-1917)", Includes a biography and timeline, a complete bibliography, and full texts of some of Durkheim's works.
- Marxists.org Internet Archive - maintained by volunteer contributors under the direction of staff of the University of Colorado. Searchable archive of the works of Marx and other major Marxist/Socialist writers, with full texts (where available) in English and original languages. Includes timelines, biographies and image galleries for selected authors, plus a searchable Encyclopedia of Marxism, compiled by the site team using sources from the Institute of Marxism-Leninism of the USSR, and the Encyclopedia Britannica, amongst others.
- Social-theory mailing list - "aims to provide a forum for the discussion of social theory within the social sciences. Particular emphasis will be placed upon the relationship between psychology and sociology with special reference to the links between the individual and social processes". Hosted by the UK-based Jiscmail service, with instructions for contributors and a searchable archive of messages.
- C Wright Mills' Sociology – includes a Powerpoint presentation about Wright Mills and his theories, by Dr. Frank Elwell of Rogers State University.
Qualitative research
- Web Center for Social Research Methods - a selection of teaching materials on topics such as how to define a research question, sampling, measurement, research design and data analysis.
- Bill Trochim's Center for Social Research Methods - a selection of teaching materials written by this lecturer at Cornell University, USA, plus links to relevant external websites.
- biog-methods - "an open email list for social scientists interested in biographical methods". Hosted by the UK Jiscmail service, with a searchable archive of messages and instructions for contributors.
- CAQDAS (Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software) Networking Project - a nationally-funded project at the University of Surrey, which "aims to disseminate information needed to choose and use a range of software programs which have been designed to assist qualitative data analysis (e.g. field research, ethnography, text analysis). The project also provides a variety of media where the debate surrounding associated methodological and epistemological issues, can take place", e.g. the Qual-software discussion list hosted by Jiscmail.
- Companion for Undergraduate Dissertations: Sociology, Anthropology, Politics, Social Policy, Social Work and Criminology: - This site provides free access to various learning and teaching materials written by academic and support staff who have a particular interest in this area and have a great deal of experience in supervising undergraduate dissertations. It is published by the Higher Education Academy's Centre for Sociology, Anthropology and Politics, the Centre for Social Work and Policy and Sheffield Hallam University.
- QualPage: resources for qualitative research - Links to electronic journals, conference announcements, publishers, software providers and online texts.
- Qualitative Report - An online bi-monthly journal dedicated to qualitative research since 1990.
- Society for the Study of Symbolic Interaction - "an international professional organization of scholars interested in the study of a wide range of social issues with an emphasis on identity, everyday practice, and language” based at Salford University.
Cultural Studies
- Citizens Online - "a registered charity established to explore the social and cultural impact of the Internet on society". Site includes information about projects and publications, plus an archive of statistics relating to UK Internet access/use, and links to other related sites.
- consumer-studies - "a forum for the exchange of information, ideas and research in the specific areas of advertising and consumption. As a newsletter, the list shall provide space for discussions of consumer and advertising theory, methodology, shopping, market-research, cultural and social change". Hosted by the UK Jiscmail service, with instructions for contributors and a searchable archive of messages.
- death-soccon - an email discussion list "for scholars in the social and medical sciences and the humanities interested in the social context of death, dying and the disposal of the dead". Hosted by the UK Jiscmail service, with a searchable archive of messages and instructions for contributors.
- humour-research - "an interdisciplinary forum for the discussion, debate and exchange of ideas and information associated with the study of humour in all its forms". Hosted by the UK Jiscmail service, with instructions for contributors and an archive of messages.
- McDonaldization of Society, The: - This useful lecture handout was written by Robert Keel at the University of Missouri. He explains the meaning of the term "McDonaldization" which has been taken from sociology. He also gives some other weblinks and references to follow up.
- Theory.org.uk: media/identity resources and projects - "a website about the relationship between the mass media and people's identities, genders and everyday lives", created by David Gauntlett, Institute of Communications Studies, University of Leeds. Includes articles, bibliographies and links to related resources.
Gender Studies
- Voice of the Shuttle: Gender Studies - list of links to Internet resources, maintained by Alan Liu at the University of California Santa Barbara. Mixture of academic and popular sites, classified as "general", "women's", "gay/lesbian", "men's", and "cybergender".
Resources on women and women's studies
See Womens' Studies information sources.
Resources on men and men's studies
- American Men's Studies Association - "a not for profit professional organization of scholars, therapists, and others interested in the exploration of masculinity in modern society". Site includes information about the AMSA and their publications, links to other related sites, plus a catalogue of men's studies courses in the US.
- XY - "an Australian website focused on men, masculinities and gender politics", featuring articles from the Australian magazine XY. Incorporates an extensive list of web links on issues such as profeminism and anti-violence.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Studies
- Bi.org - "serving the world bisexual community" (site based in the UK). News and popular sites, plus links to other organisations and information sources covering bisexuality issues (not updated very regularly).
- Campaign for Marriage Equality - The Rhode Island Campaign for Marriage Equality is a grassroots movement that seeks legal recognition of same-gender civil marriage in Rhode Island and beyond. "We believe that a civil society guarantees to all of its citizens certain civil rights; civil marriage is one of these fundamental rights. Each and every adult in Rhode Island - regardless of socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation - deserves the opportunity to attain the legal protections and safeguards gained through civil marriage."
- Gay and Lesbian Medical Association - Founded in 1981 as the American Association of Physicians for Human Rights, GLMA "came out" as an organization in 1994. "Our members represent the interests of thousands of LGBT physicians, medical students, and increasingly other health care professionals, as well as millions of LGBT patients throughout North America who seek equality in health care access and delivery. " GLMA's focus is to increase the visibility of the specific health concerns of LGBT patients and offer programs and services that we are in a unique position to provide. We serve and advocate for several "layers" of the LGBT community.
- International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission - searchable site in several languages. Includes a comprehensive collection of news items and information sources classified by country.
- International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Trans and intersex Association - a world-wide federation of national and local groups dedicated to achieving equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) people everywhere. Founded in 1978, it now has more than 400 member organisations. Every continent and around 90 countries are represented. ILGA member groups range from small collectives to national groups and entire cities." ILGA is to this day the only international non-profit and non-governmental community-based federation focused on presenting discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation as a global issue. "
- Intersex Society of North America - "devoted to systemic change to end shame, secrecy, and unwanted genital surgeries for people born with an anatomy that someone decided is not standard for male or female." (Not often updated)
- Peter Tatchell Gay and Human Rights Campaigns - the official website of British of British gay rights campaigner and activist Peter Tatchell. His website includes a brief biography, bibliography of published works and access to recent press releases, recent news headlines on gay/queer issues and full text articles. Topics cover all aspects of gay rights.
- Stonewall - "equality and justice for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals."
Health and illness
General
- British Sociological Association: Medical Sociology Group - information on the Group's activities and publications, plus links to other related sites.
- UNECE Family and Fertility Surveys: - The Family and Fertility Surveys are part of the UNECE Population programme. The FFS were conducted in the 1990s in selected Member States of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and were co-ordinated by the Population Activities Unit (PAU). Also included are links to UNECE resources on Ageing, Generations and Gender in addition to related publications. Tables and documents are available in EXCEL and Adobe PDF.
Disability Studies
- disability-research discussion list "intended for all those interested in research as it affects disabled people... particularly researchers working within a social model of disablement". Includes a searchable archive of messages and instructions for contributors.
See also Library resources for Health Sciences and Women's Studies resources: health.
Science and environment
- European Association for the Study of Science and Technology - "an interdisciplinary scholarly society, which reflects the closeness of history, philosophy, psychology and sociology of science in recent years. It also welcomes a policy perspective on science and technology". Site provides information about the Association's activities (the 2002 Conference was held in York), and publications, including full text of the quarterly journal EASST Review 1994-.
- Infoscape Research Lab: - Infoscape Research Lab is a major research centre for the study of social media based at Ryerson University, Toronto Canada. It specialises in conducting research into the cultural impact of digital technology. Key issues include social networking, and the impact of the Internet upon politics and elections.
- Oxford Internet Institute -an academic centre for the study of the societal implications of the Internet. Research projects cover social, economic, political, legal, industrial, technical and ethical issues of the Internet in everyday life, governance and democracy, science and learning and shaping the Internet.
See also Subject resources: Science and technology; Environment information sources.
Social anthropology
- European Social Survey Education Net: - This Internet-based analysis-training programme was created by the Norwegian Social Science Data Services and designed for use in higher education. It describes itself as a "social science research simulator": it aims to use high quality data from the European Social Survey to teach research methods, "from a theoretical problem to the interpretation of statistical results". The project is funded jointly by the European Commission, the European Science Foundation and academic funding bodies in each participating country.
- Understanding Society - is an ESRC funded research resource that takes a longitudinal view of the lives of those it studies. The UK-wide study takes a sample of 40,000 households containing around a 100,000 individuals and attempts to interview all household members annually. Data will be collected on a wide diversity of topics ranging from employment, expenditure and health to experiences of crime, discrimination and racism. The website includes more information on the Understanding Society initiative, including details of the methodology, research design and planned dissemination activities.
Subject Arrangement
The following is a summary of the main subject divisions relevant to Sociology as arranged in the Library. It is not a comprehensive list of all subjects covered.
|
|
