I. BOOKS

Library Catalogs

At Wittenberg: EZRA

At other Ohio libraries: OhioLINK (allow 3-5 business days for shipping)

Reference Books

Reference books can help you find an interesting research topic and discover some background information that will help you dive deeper into the research.

Credo Reference Online - this database is a great place to start. It searches the full text of hundreds of online reference books.

eBooks:

21st century criminology [electronic resource] : a reference handbook

Click here to view online

Handbook on crime and deviance [electronic resource]

Click here to view online

Encyclopedia of victimology and crime prevention [electronic resource]

Click here to view online

Print books in the Reference Collection:

Encyclopedia of criminology and deviant behavior (2001)

Call Number: HV6017 .E53 2001

This 4 volume set covers historical, conceptual, and theoretical issues (v.1), crime and juvenile delinquency (v.2), sexual deviance (v.3), and self- destructive behavior and disvalued identity (v.4). Each entry includes a comprehensive definition of the term, concise practical information (such as tables and/or diagrams) and a bibliography.

Key issues in crime and punishment (2011)

Call Number: HV6025 .K38 2011

This 5 volume encyclopedia set is another reference source that should be consulted in the early stages of your research. It provides helpful overviews of topics that will provide the background necessary to understand further research.

The American dictionary of criminal justice : key terms and major court cases (2001)

Call Number: HV7411 .C48 2001

Terms defined cut across areas including criminal law, criminal justice, forensics, corrections, probation and parole, policing, jails, white-collar crime, and search and seizure. Recent and significant US Supreme Court cases are presented abridged, in summary format, to highlight major facts.

West's encyclopedia of American law (2005)

Call Number: KF154 .W47 2005

This highly regarded 13-volume reference set provides information on pertinent people, issues, and events, as well as discussion of the laws themselves. Volume 12 is devoted to primary documents and contains the text of speeches, legislation, and historic legal documents ranging from the Magna Carta to the Treaty with Sioux Nation.

II. PERIODICALS

Journals the Library Has - search for a periodical title. Electronic and print access will be listed along with dates of coverage.

If you can't find a copy of the article, please contact us or submit an Interlibrary Loan: Article Request Form.

III. DATABASES

Databases are search engines for periodical articles. The following databases are recommended for Criminology and Criminal Justice:

National Criminal Justice Reference Service

Covers the fields of law enforcement and criminal justice. The database contains summaries of more than 190,000 publications including books, government reports, research reports, and unpublished research. It also includes content from 189 journals.

Criminal Justice Abstracts with Full Text

Subject areas covered include: criminology; criminal justice; criminal law and procedure; corrections and prisons; police and policing; criminal investigation; forensic sciences and investigation; history of crime; substance abuse and addiction; probation and parole.

SocINDEX

Comprehensive research database for sociology includes more than 860 journals dating back to 1908. This database also includes full text for more than 830 books and monographs, and full text for over 16,800 conference papers.

Sociological Collection

Offers information in all areas of sociology, including social behavior, human tendencies, interaction, relationships, community development, culture and social structure.

Lexis-Nexis Academic

Use this database to search for legal information, newspapers, and more.

Tip: Use the button on the left to get into the right section before you search. For example, click on News for newspapers or Legal for court cases.

Gender Studies

Women's Studies International and Men's Studies databases with the coverage of sexual diversity issues.

Ask a librarian for help if you aren't getting useful results!!

The following links are subscription resources provided by Wittenberg for data and statistics:

ICPSR

Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research

Statistical Abstract of the U.S.

Summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic conditions of the United States.

World Development Indicators

World Development Indicators (WDI) is the primary World Bank database for development data from officially-recognized international sources.

IV. WEB SITES

Choose your sources wisely. The library has compiled a list of things to consider when Evaluating Sources.

The following list includes sites recommended by Dr. Wagner for data and statistics that probably won't show up in your typical Google search:

Office of Victims of Crime

The OVC Resource Center (OVCRC) produces and disseminates information resources for victim service providers and other key audiences. As part of the National Criminal Justice Reference Service, OVCRC has access to the most comprehensive criminal justice library in the world.

Office of Justice Programs

The official site for the Office of Justice Programs. Includes research summaries and information about Department of Justice training & grants.

The National Center of Victims of Crime

National resource center for victims of crime. Includes research and information about victim services.

National Criminal Justice Reference Service

National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) is a federally funded resource offering justice and drug-related information to support research, policy, and program development worldwide

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) provides national leadership, coordination, and resources to prevent and respond to juvenile delinquency and victimization.

The National Institute of Justice

NIJ provides objective research and independent knowledge to reduce crime and promote justice, particularly at the state and local levels. Additionally, there are free training programs useful for those interested in pursuing a career in criminal justice.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Contains information about the legal classifications for offenses, nation and state level crime data, descriptions of top crime stories and America's most wanted felons.

The Internet Journal of Criminology

The Internet Journal of Criminology (IJC) is a completely FREE access online criminology journal that includes peer reviewed journal articles, student research papers, and book reviews.

Criminal Justice Policy Foundation

CJPF website contains research and policy information at the state and national level about the impact of drug policy and the problems of policing drug policy on the criminal justice system.

FBI Uniform Crime Report

The U.S. government's official data regarding crime. Contains resources, data collections & statistics, and publications analyzing crime in the United States.

Statistics and datasets:

Uniform Crime Reporting Statistics

Allows users to build table analyzing national, state, and county level crime data across time. Users can also explore demographic trends in crime.

BJS World Factbook of Criminal Justice Systems

This factbook, developed under BJS grants, provides narrative descriptions of the criminal justice systems of 45 countries around the world.

Bureau of Justice Statistics

Offers data tables, charts, and spreadsheets examining crime trends across America.

V. CITING YOUR SOURCES

You must cite web pages just as you must cite books and articles. ASA Style is the recommended format. You can download Quick Tips for ASA Style from the American Sociological Association (ASA) site.

The Wittenberg Writing Center provides assistance not only with writing, but with citing your sources too!

VI. HELP

Contact Kristen Peters to ask a quick question or to schedule a consultation to discuss your research. Or stop by the Reference Desk for research assistance whenever the library is open.

Return to: Thomas Library Main Page | Sociology Department





Compiled by Kristen Peters, June 2013.