Databases for Political Science

Essential Research Tools

---

Academic Search Premier

Large, scholarly, multi-disciplinary database containing indexing for over 8,500 journals with full text for more than 3,900 peer-reviewed publications. Some 540 journals are specifically focused on political science. (from EBSCO)

1975–current | Some full text |

---

America: History & Life

Comprehensive coverage of articles from journals, book reviews, and dissertations published worldwide on the history and culture of the United States and Canada. From pre-history to the present. (from EBSCO )

1964-current | Abstracts & citations

---

American Factfinder 2

From the U.S. Census Bureau, provides population, housing, economic, and geographic data.

---

CQ Researcher Plus Archive

Provides in-depth, unbiased coverage of health issues, social trends, criminal justice, international affairs, education, the environment, technology, and the economy. Including pro/con statements from representatives of opposing positions, it is useful for term papers, debates, and speeches. Use the archival reports for history research.

1923-current | Full text

---

CQ Weekly

Online journal covering Congress, politics, and public policy. Includes roll call votes, floor action, Supreme Court decisions, and election coverage.

1983-current | Full text

---

FirstGov/USAGov

The official U.S. gateway to governmental information and services. Now USA.gov.

Full text

---

GPO Access

A service of the U.S. Government Printing Office that provides free access to a wealth of important information produced by the Federal Government. Information on all three branches of government, statistical abstracts, economic indicators, the Congressional Record, Supreme Court decisions, and much more.
Full text

---

JSTOR

Provides multi-disciplinary access to scholarly journals and books. Our collection (Arts & Sciences I-IV and VII) is available in all full text. Under “Refine Results” check “All Content” if you want more search results, some of which may need to be requested from other libraries. (See our Interlibrary Loan page for more information)

1800s-current | Some full text

---

Minnesota State Legislature

Follow the actions of the House and the Senate; search statues, laws, and rules; get status and history of bills; research the history of legislation in Minnesota; and much more.

Full text

---

U.S. Newsstream

Access to over 500 national newspapers. Includes full text for the Chicago Tribune, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.

Some full text

---

Project MUSE

Comprehensive source for scholarly journals and books. Project MUSE covers the fields of literature and criticism, history, the visual and performing arts, cultural studies, education, political science, religion, gender studies, economics, and many others. Our collection is available in full text. Check “All Content” if you want more search results, some of which you may need to request from other libraries. (See our Interlibrary Loan page).

Some full text | More info

---

Sage Journals

Access to high-quality, scholarly journals in the areas of Religious Studies, Communication Studies, Education, Management & Organization Studies, Physical & Life Sciences, Nursing & Health Sciences, Political Science, Criminology, Sociology, Urban Studies & Planning, and Psychology.

1847-current | Some full text

---

Salem History

Provides online access to the Milestone Documents of American Leaders reference set, a compilation of primary documents from notable Americans with commentary and analysis.

1754–current | Full text e-book

---

World Factbook CIA

Country information – demographics, economies, climate, geography, government, military, and more.

Full text

---

Also Useful

---

American Presidency Project

One of the largest public archives of the American presidency spanning 1789-2015.

Full text

---

Google Scholar

Google Scholar provides a simple way to search for scholarly literature. When accessing this database through the link provided here you will find free connections to the pay for view materials that are located in our subscription sources. Just click on “Find Full Text @SMU.” See also the Google Scholar Blog for citation metrics.

Some full text, some pay for view

---

National Constitution Center

Provides non-partisan information about elections, polling, voting, and issues relating to the US Constitution and US history.

Full text

---

OpenJurist

Open Jurist is a resource for access to the case law of the United States. The collection includes opinions from the:

• United States Supreme Court – beginning in 1754 when it was known as the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
• Federal Appellate Courts – beginning in 1880

Full text

---

Social Science Research Network Search Page

Social Science Research Network (SSRN) is devoted to the rapid worldwide dissemination of social science research and is composed of a number of specialized research networks in each of the social sciences.

Full text/some-fee based | More info

---

WorldCat

From OCLC, the largest, most comprehensive catalog of books and other materials, with records from over 55,000 libraries worldwide. Materials found in WorldCat may be borrowed through our interlibrary loan program.
Catalog records

---