Sociology 363 - Urban Sociology
Spring 2008
LIBRARY CONTACTS
Subject Specialist:
Bonnie Ryan,O:315-443-4674
bcryan@syr.eduSyracuse University Library Web site http://library.syr.edu
ASK US! (Phone, Email, and IM reference with Librarian on duty)
RESEARCH STRATEGIES
Critically Analyzing Information Sources
Cornell University Library
American Sociological Association style guide
Print Sources
There are a few sources for statistics available in print where you can find data, particularly historical data. The majority of these sources can be found in the Reference area of the Maps & Government Information Department. You can enquire about these sources at the Maps & Government Information Reference desk on the third floor of Bird Library.
County and city data book. Call Number: C 3.134/2:C 83/2/. This source is available in print as well as electronically (see below) and in CD-ROM. The Library has in print: 1952, 1956, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1983, 1988, 1994, 2000.
County and City Extra. Updates the County and City data book. Call number: HA203 .C68. The Library has 1992-1994, 1998, 2000, and a 2002 decennial census edition supplement.
Cities of the United States. Call number: HT123 .C49677. The most recent second edition, 1994, vols. 1-4, is located on the 3rd floor in Maps and Government Information.
Demographics USA. County edition, 2003 Call number: HF5415.2 .S942. Latest edition located at the Reference Desk , 1st floor, Bird Library
Demographics USA. Zip edition, 2003 Call number:HF5415.33.U6 D46. Latest edition located at the Reference Desk, 1st floor, Bird Library
Places, towns, and townships. Call number: HA203 .P58. 2nd edition, 1998
New York State population, 1790-1980 Call number: HA545 .S58 1987
New York State municipal profiles. Call number: HA541 .N478, 1994 edition, vols. 1-2
Municipal yellow book Call number: JS39 .M79. Latest edition, Winter 2006 available at the Bird Library Reference Desk, 1st Floor.
Places rated almanac Call number: HN60 .P42. Millenium edition 2000 available at the Bird Library Reference Desk, 1st floor.
Electronic Sources
SU LIbrary - Census Data Guides
Census and Demographic Data Sources
There are many places on the web where you can find census and other demographic data. The sites listed below range from providing raw data you can analyze on your own to ready-made tables.
Historical Census Browser: This site will allow you to create tables of census data at the state and county level from 1790 to 1960.
Integrated Public Use Microdata Series: The IPUMS site provides census data at the individual level, but only for geographic areas with large populations. Data from 1850 to 2000 are available. Data from the IPUMS must be analyzed on your own using a software package such as Excel or SPSS.
County and City Data Book: U.S. Census Bureau
County and City Data Book: Geostat Center at UVa
This is a collection of tables created from the 2000 census for all U.S. counties, Cities with 25,000 or more inhabitants, and Places of 2,500 or more inhabitants. The tables at the Census Bureau are all in PDF format. The Geostat site allows you to create tables or download data files to analyze on your own.
US Census: A website rich in data sources. Many sources of both numeric data and geo-spatial data can be found here. Start by looking through the "Available Subjects" link to see what is available.
American Factfinder: This website is the best place to find quick demographic data for the United States. To dig deeper in the AF use the Census Overview to learn more about what AF contains and how to use it. The Census Overview has links to other related Census data sources such as the Economic Census. There is also a comprehensive list of SURVEYS conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Other related Statistical Sites
FirstGov.gov - The official portal of the U.S. Government
New York State Department of Health
Bureau of Justice Statistics
National Center for Health Statistics
National Center for Education StatisticsNCES - School District Demographic System
For further help with these data sources contact:
Paul Bern
Numeric Data Services Librarian
555 Bird Library
443-1352
phbern@syr.eduJohn Olson
Maps/GIS Librarian
358 Bird Library
443-4818
jaolson@syr.eduLocating Journal & Newspaper Articles
Databases Main Menu - Search the databases to find articles and information in journals, newspapers, magazines, and news wire services. The databases also include encyclopedias, biographies, and sources of visual images. Some of the databases includes full text, online access to newspaper and magazine articles; others only provide citations.
1. Choose an appropriate database. If the database provides full text access, you can simply print the article or read it online.
2. If the database does not provide full text access, go to the Library's catalog to see if the Library owns the journal, magazine or newspaper that you are searching for.
3. With this information go to the Full Text Journal Locator (you can access this through the E-Journals link on the Library web page) to see if we have the article available full text through another database. If we do, use an advanced search in the database to locate the article.
4. If the library does not have access to a journal, ILLiad (Interlibrary Loan) allows you to request a journal article, book or thesis/dissertation to borrow from another library. General turn-around time is 10-14 days. This is a free service to SU students and faculty
****ACCESSING THE DATABASES FROM OFF-CAMPUS: Most databases are accessible only to current SU students, faculty, and staff. In order to access the databases and electronic journals from off-campus, you need to enter a username(TEN digit ID #) and password(last name in LOWERCASE letters). If you have any problems or questions, please refer to the Instructions for Remote Access to Databases
Recommended Databases
Lexis/Nexis - Full text files focusing on legal (federal, state, national) news (newspapers, newswires, transcripts), business and industry, and statistical information.
National Newspapers - Coverage of 27 major newspapers, including The New York Times and Washington Post
New York State Newspapers- Full-text access to newspapers from New York State.
Other Databases
Proquest Research Library - Reference database containing abstracts, indexing, and full text articles from popular magazines, business periodicals, and academic publications, plus current coverage of articles from The New York times and The Wall Street journal.
PAIS(Public Affairs Information Service)International - Provides indexing and abstracting of articles, books, conference proceedings, government documents, book chapters, and statistical directories about public affairs.
ERIC - The Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) indexes over 800,000 references to variety of educational topics. Includes journal articles, books, theses, curriculi, conference papers, and standards and guidelines. Covers 1966 to the present; updated monthly.
