Reference books are used to give you a starting point for your research, providing you with an overview of a topic and an introduction to the specific vocabulary of subject. They will give you the "big picture" and provide you with a starting point for more specific searching.
Print Books in the Reference Collection
Blackwell Companion to Sociology
REF HM 585 .B53 2001
Encyclopedia of American Social History
REF HN 57 .E58 1993
Encyclopedia of Social Theory
HM 425 .E53 2006
International Handbook of Sociology
REF HM 585 .I57 2000
Sage Encyclopedia of Social Science Research Methods
REF H62 .L456 2004
Online Resources
Use SouthernSearch to locate information in our library. SouthernSearch provides simple, one-stop searching for books and e-books, videos, articles, digital media, and more.
Enter your search terms in the search box provided and click on Search. The default is to search "Everything at SCSU." You can click on the down arrow next to "Everything at SCSU" for other choices such as SCSU Catalog and Collections, Articles and e-books, Course Reserves, and CT State Colleges and Universities.
When searching by keyword use "and" to combine your search terms for more precise results.
Example: social class and education
You can combine as many terms as you wish using "and" but the more terms you use the less results you will get.
Use "or" to expand or broaden your search. "Or" is generally used with synonyms.
Example: race or ethnicity
You can combine as many terms as you wish using "or" and the more terms you combine the greater your results will be.
Sample Keyword Searches
Use Advanced Search for more search options to limit or focus your search.
Searches will retrieve articles and other materials as well as books. To limit your search to books, use the options on the left after you receive the initial results.
Use the library catalog, SouthernSearch, to locate books. To find books in the CSCU system, select CT State Colleges & Universities from the SouthernSearch pull down menu. If you see an item at any of the other campuses that you need, you can request it by clicking on "Request Book" and entering your SCSU username and password. All material will be sent to Buley Library by campus courier. Normally it takes between 3-5 days for your requests to arrive at the Check Out Desk. Courier service is not available on the weekends and holidays.
Sociology books are generally located on the shelves in the H's on the second floor of Buley Library.
HM = general sociology
HN = social history and conditions
HQ = the family, marriage, women
HT = communities, cities, class, race
HV = social problems, welfare, criminology