Research Guide for HSS 315: Human Sexuality

Summer 1997


Reference Services Division, Olin*Kroch*Uris Libraries

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Search Strategy
Finding Background Information
Current Awareness Sources Using Bibliographies
Finding Books: the Cornell Library Catalog
Finding and Evaluating Periodical Articles
Formatting Your Biblography
Reference Help

DEVELOPING A SEARCH STRATEGY

Search strategy is a library term for the process of finding information in a logical, step-by-step manner. Using a search strategy insures that you will find the information or material you need as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Research Steps for HSS 315:

  1. Choose your topic
  2. Find background information
  3. Find books on your topic [optional]
  4. Find periodical articles
  5. Cite your sources using APA

For online help using on library research strategy and using library resources, try using Library Research, a Hypertext Guide - online, hypertext-based tutorial on library research.

Clicking on the underlined headers in the HSS 315 guide below will also take you to the appropriate section of the tutorial. To return to the HSS 315 research guide, click on the BACK button.

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FINDING BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, and Handbooks

American Medical Association. Encyclopedia of Medicine. New York: Random House, 1989.
(Uris Ref RC 81 .A2 A53 1989; also Mann)

An extensively illustrated encyclopedia of diseases, drugs, and medical terms. Definitions and explanations are clear and include many cross-references to other definitions and illustrations. Thorough index, no bibliographies.

Carrera, Michael A. The Language of Sex: An A to Z Guide. New York: Facts on File, 1992.
(Mann Ref HQ 9 .C31 1992; also Olin stacks)

An excellent general dictionary of common terms related to sex and sexual behavior. Some specialized medical terms are included. Good for one-paragraph-long, understandable definitions. A small bibliography divided by subject and an index are included at the back.

A Descriptive Dictionary and Atlas of Sexology. Ed., Robert Francoeur. New York: Greenwood, 1991.
(Uris Ref HQ 9 .D44 1991; also Mann, Olin)

This dictionary defines terms used in the scholarly, historical, and medical literature of sex. Slang and jargon is excluded. Some entries cite additional sources. The several appendixes briefly define philias and phobias, list Supreme Court cases related to sexuality, and illustrate sexual development, sexual anatomy, and sexual response.

Encyclopedia of Adolescence. 2 vols. New York: Garland, 1991.
(Uris Ref HQ 796 .E56 1991; also Mann)

The social and biological aspects of adolescence are extensively examined in signed articles by scholars. Authors incorporate extensive statistical information and reviews of recent research into the narrative. Bibliographies and cross-references accompany each article. Sexuality, drug use, and other medical, social, and psychological issues are thoroughly covered.

Encyclopedia of Childbearing: Critical Perspectives. Phoenix: Oryx, 1993.
(Uris Ref RG 525 .E56; also Mann)

This encyclopedia contains signed articles on the scientific, historical, philosophical and sociological aspects of childbearing. Articles are international in scope and cite relevant research. The index is extensive and contains biographical entries on important figures in the history of birth studies.

Encyclopedia of Homosexuality. 2 vols. New York: Garland, 1990.
(Uris Ref HQ 76.25 .E56; also Olin)

The most extensive reference book available about all aspects of male and female homosexuality, both current and historic. Signed articles end in bibliographies. Includes many biographical entries and an index.

Encyclopedia of Human Biology. Ed. Renato Dulbecco. 8 vols. San Diego: Academic, 1991.
(Mann Ref QP 11 .E56 1991)

This extensive work covers all aspects of human biology. Written by scholars, the lengthy articles are "accessible to the uninitiated; special terminology is either avoided or, when used, is clearly explained in a glossary at the beginning of each article." (Preface) Bibliographies at the end of each article refer to additional, more specialized resources. Volume 8 contains the subject index and a list of cross-references for each article.

Encyclopedia of Social Work. Ed. John B. Turner. 2 vols. New York: National Association of Social Workers, 1929- .
(Uris Ref HV 35 .S67; also Mann, Olin)

Attempts to draw together, in some understandable relationship, materials on 1) the professional practices of social work, 2) the social problems and welfare institutions of our day, and 3) the realities of the wider social, political, economic, and physical environment. Includes biographies of (deceased) important persons and national statistical trends in the fields of social work and social welfare. Entries are signed and have bibliographies updated every few years. The most recent edition (1995) is the 19th. There is an excellent subject index at the end of the volume.

Encyclopedia of Sociology. Ed. Edgar F. and Marie L. Borgatta. 4 vols. New York: Macmillan, 1992.
(Uris Ref HM 17 .E56 1992; also Olin, ILR, Mann, and Hotel)

This is the standard subject encyclopedia for all aspects of sociology. The clear and authoritative articles are supplemented with extensive bibliographies. This supersedes much of the information in the International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences, except for biographical articles on major sociologists. Thoroughly indexed.

International Handbook on Abortion. New York: Greenwood, 1988.
(Uris Ref HQ 767 .I605; also Olin stacks)

A country-by-country survey of the recent and historical status of abortion. Includes bibliographies and, usually, statistical tables for each of the 33 countries covered. Indexed.

Khan, Ada P. The A-Z of Women's Sexuality. New York: Facts on File, 1990.
(Uris Ref RG 121 .K12; also Mann)

Brief definitions of scientific and popular terms related to all aspects of women's sexuality are given. The encyclopedia contains extensive cross-referencing and a thorough index. The bibliography is organized by broad subject headings (ex. abortion, gender identity, sexually transmitted diseases, etc.)

Ramachandran, V. S., ed. Encyclopedia of Human Behavior. 4 vols. San Diego: Academic Press, 1994.
(Olin Ref BF 31 .E54 1994; also Mann)

A collection of reviews for research in psychology. Lengthy, signed essays written by acknowledged experts in the field present an overview of research on each topic. Each essay provides a concise selected bibliography.

Reich, Warren T., ed. Encyclopedia of Bioethics. 5 vols. 2nd ed. New York: Macmillan, 1995.
(Uris Ref BJ 57 .E56 1995; also Mann; Olin has 1978 edition)

"Bioethics" is defined here as "the systematic study of the moral dimensions--including moral vision, decisions, conduct, and policies--of the life sciences and health care, employing a variety of ethical methodologies in an interdisciplinary setting." (introduction) Anyone interested in the pros and cons of almost any bioethical issue would do well to consult this encyclopedia first. From "Abortion" through "Warfare", issues are discussed at length by philosophers, biologists, physicians, theologians, psychologists, lawyers, various health professionals and social scientists, all known to be experts in their field. Each essay contains a long, up-to-date bibliography. There are a total of 464 articles by 437 authors. Although the volumes are alphabetically arranged by topic an index at the end of Volume 5 helps locate smaller sub-topics found within larger topics. The Code of Ethics of the American Medical Association is one of the more valuable appendixes attached to the final volume.

Sussman, Marvin B. and Suzanne K. Steinmetz. Handbook of Marriage and the Family. New York: Plenum, 1987.
(Uris Ref HQ 728 .H225; also Mann and Olin stacks)

A comprehensive compendium of articles, research and bibliographies covering all aspects of family life. Chapter headings include such topics as family violence, divorce, voluntary childlessness, single-parent families, and human sexuality, to name only a few. A subject index located at the end of the volume provides access to numerous sub-topics within each chapter.

Wolman, B., ed. Handbook of Human Sexuality. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1980.
(Uris Ref HQ 12 .H23+; also Olin stacks)

This handbook contains essays which describe three areas of human sexuality: 1) development and behavior, 2) social, cultural, and legal aspects of sexual behavior, and 3) sexual aberrations and dysfunctions and their various treatment methods. Each essay is followed by a list of suggested readings, and the entire volume concludes with a subject index.

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CURRENT AWARENESS SOURCES

Annual Editions. Guilford: Duskin, dates vary.
(Index Table 3--Uris Reference)

The Annual Editions series publishes individual volumes on many subjects. Uris Library subscribes to Annual Editions in the following topics that may be appropriate for this class:

Health
Human Development
Human Sexuality
Marriage and Family
Personal Growth and Behavior
Psychology
Social Problems
Sociology

Each volume in the various series appears annually and contains reprints of articles which have appeared in well known journals. Most articles are given in their entirety, and nearly all contain references to other material. Uris Reference keeps the latest issue in the Reference Room on Index Table 3, and earlier issues are sent to the stacks. An index to the last five years of each title is available in the Reference Room.

Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report. Washington: Congressional Quarterly, 1946- .
(Olin Ref JK 1 .C661; also Uris)

CQ Weekly Report is also available electronically using the Washington Alert database on the Mann Library Gateway.

Published weekly, Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report provides news summaries of congressional legislation, commission reports, presidential talks and appointments, and even information about birth dates, religious affiliation and occupation of senators and representatives. One of the best and most current of all publications dealing with government action. Covers Congress in depth, but also includes information on the executive and judicial branches of government. Quarterly indexes cumulate annually and provide access by subject. There are also special indexes for lobby registrations, presidential texts, committee roll call votes, etc.

CQ Researcher. Washington: Congressional Quarterly, 1991- .
(Uris Ref H 35 .E23)
Formerly Editorial Research Reports. Washington: Congressional Quarterly, 1946- .

CQ Researcher is also available electronically using the Washington Alert database on the Mann Library Gateway.

CQ Researcher is issued four times a month on subjects of current interest. Divided into three sections, each Researcher discusses the major issues, followed by background and historical developments and concludes with a discussion of the future, as well as with a select bibliography of books, articles, reports, and studies. The annual cumulated volume also includes a reminder service with brief information about newsworthy events, and an index listing Researchers (by subject and title) for the past fifteen years.

Facts on File: Weekly World News Digest with Cumulative Index. New York: Facts on File, 1940- .
(Olin Ref D 410 .F139+; also Mann)

A weekly digest of news. Headings are arranged alphabetically, with a number of cross references. Indexes are published twice monthly and are cumulated throughout the year. Only the most recent two years are kept in Reference; earlier years are shelved alphabetically by title in the sixth level stacks.

Information Series on Current Topics. Wylie: Information Aids, dates vary.
(Uris Reference Index Tables)

The Information Series on Current Topics consists of a collection of up-to-date volumes, each covering a specific topic. Topics include abortion, AIDS, domestic violence, health, social welfare, women's changing role, and many others. Each volume is divided into appropriate chapters containing commentary and statistics. The sources of the many statistics are provided. Each title is updated biennially.

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SUBJECT BIBLIOGRAPHIES AND GUIDES

Frayser, Suzanne G. Studies in Human Sexuality: A Selected Guide. Littleton: Libraries Unlimited, 1987.
(Olin Ref Z 7164 .S42 F84)

Contains lengthy and informative annotations on 627 publications that represent a cross-section of the literature. Entries are arranged in three categories: "General" includes "Reference Works," "Historical Works," "Surveys and Statistical Works," etc. The "Topical Guide" section includes "Sexual Functioning and Disorders," "Social and Cultural Aspects..." and more. The final category, "Bibliographies", includes "Aging," "Birth Control and Contraception," "Rape," "Sex Roles," among others. The volume concludes with author, title and subject indexes.

Lichtenberg, Kara. A Research Guide to Human Sexuality. New York: Garfland, 1994.
(Mann Ref HQ21 .L69 1994; also Olin)

A comprehensive directory and research guide for those seeking information and materials on human sexuality and related topics (preface). It describes more than 1,000 print and electronic resources, provides guidance for locating experts, and provides directory and descriptive information for organizations and agencies in the field.

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FINDING BOOKS

Help Using the Cornell Library Catalog
Access the Cornell Library Catalog

The Cornell Library Catalog currently includes all items from all Cornell libraries cataloged since 1973, some pre-1973 items, and items on order or in process. Included in the Cornell Library Catalog are books, periodicals and government documents, as well as some other materials located in the libraries at Cornell. The catalog provides the call number, the name of the library, and the circulation status for most materials.

When to Check the Card Catalog

When the book you want was published before 1973 and it's not in the Cornell Library Catalog, check the card catalog located in the John M. Olin Library. This card catalog contains cards for authors, subjects and titles filed in an alphabetical, word-by-word arrangement for books cataloged through December 1972. Whenever you cannot locate the material you need, ask at a reference desk for assistance.

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FINDING PERIODICAL ARTICLES

PERIODICAL INDEXES AND ABSTRACTS

Locate the articles you find using the periodical indexes and abstracts below by using the Cornell Library Catalog.

Bibliography of Bioethics. Detroit: Gale, 1975- .
(Mann Reference Index QH 332 B582; also Uris Reference and Olin stacks)

"A subject bibliography listing English-language books, essays in books, journal & newspaper articles, court decisions, bills or laws, films & audio cassettes."(preface) Concerned with ethical aspects of health care, contraception, abortion, population, reproductive technologies, genetic intervention, mental health therapies, human experimentation, artificial and transplanted organs or tissues, death and dying, etc. Published annually; each volume has title and author indexes.

BIOSIS. Biosis Information Service, 1986- .
(Mann Gateway)

This comprehensive, international indexing and abstracting service covers over 8,000 scholarly journals and books in biology, biomedicine, and other life sciences. Abstracts are lengthy and informative. Biological Abstracts is also available in the print form in Mann Library (Mann Ref QH 301 B62).

Child Development Abstracts and Bibliography. Chicago: U of Chicago P, 1927- .
(Mann Reference)

Covers many journals not indexed by Psychological Abstracts; all aspects of child development are covered in a subject arrangement. Issued three times/year; annual author and subject cumulations. Published by the University of Chicago Press for the Society for Research in Child Development.

ERIC. Washington, DC: Educational Resources Information Center, 1966- .
(Mann Gateway; also available on CD-ROM at Mann Ref)

A database of journal articles and research reports in the field of education. In addition to providing access to the standard education journals, it provides brief summaries of educational research reports and projects (mainly supported by the U.S. Office of Education). The unpublished reports are available on microfiche at Mann Library; they are called ERIC documents and are identified by a number in the AN field that is preceded ED.

Inventory of Marriage and Family Literature. St. Paul: Family Social Science of Minnesota, 1967- .
(Mann Indexes Z7164 .M2 A361; also Olin)

An interdisciplinary and non-evaluative collection of the published marriage and family literature. The subject areas included are trends in marriage; organizations and services to families; family as a small group; stages in family life cycle; mate selection; marriage and divorce; issues related to reproduction, sexual behavior; families with special problems; counseling and education and minority groups. An author index and an index comprised of keywords from titles are included in each volume.

Medline. Wellesley Hills: SilverPlatter, 1966- .
(Mann Ref; also Mann Gateway [DIALOG] and Bear Access: Cornell Library Catalog Plus [under IND])

This CD-ROM database, produced by the National Library of Medicine, is the primary international index to every aspect of biomedicine in over 3,000 journals. It includes research articles as well as letters, editorials, biographies, and obituaries. Use the thesaurus, called Medical Subject Headings in the print form, to determine the proper search terms. The print version, Cumulated Index Medicus (Mann Ref Z 6660 I38), includes an index of review articles and a separately-bound List of Journals Indexed that serves as a key to abbreviated journal titles.

NEXIS [online database]. Dayton: Mead Data Central.
(Uris Reference Desk; also Olin, Kroch Asia, Hotel, JGSM)

NEXIS is an online database created for lawyers, businesses, and broadcast and print news organizations. It contains the full text of a number of large- and medium-size newspapers; transcripts of broadcast news shows, interviews, and press conferences; local and state business publications; wire services; some popular magazines; and legal materials. Since it is updated daily, it is an excellent index to current topics and events. Available on a sign-up basis at the Reference Desk.

Periodical Abstracts. Ann Arbor: UMI, 1986- . Monthly.
(Bear Access: Cornell Library Catalog Plus [under IND] and Mann Gateway)

Indexes and abstracts over 1,600 general interest magazines and scholarly journals including all the magazines in Reader's Guide and most of the scholarly journals from Social Sciences Index, Humanities Index, and General Science Index. It also includes citations and abstracts to selected television and radio programs. Cornell University Library subscribes to most of the periodicals indexed. The full text of some transcripts from the television and radio programs can be found by searching the transcript files in NEXIS.

PsycInfo/PsycLIT. Washington: APA, 1984- .
(Bear Access: Cornell Library Catalog Plus [under IND] and Mann Gateway [DIALOG]; on CD-ROM at Olin, Mann)

Indexes and abstracts 1,300 leading international journals in psychology and related behavioral disciplines including psychiatry, sociology, anthropology, education, and pharmacology. There are differences in scope and years covered for the electronic versions of this database. The online version available on Bear Access covers 1984 to the present and is updated monthly. The online version on the Mann Gateway [DIALOG] covers 1967 to the present and is also updated monthly. They both contain all the records from the print version Psychological Abstracts, available at Olin Ref (Z 7203 P973+), which began in 1927. The CD-ROM version contains journal articles from 1974 to the present and is updated quarterly. It does not include conference papers or dissertations. All versions of this abstracting service use the vocabulary and index terms from the Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms in Olin Reference (Z7203 P9731 1994+).

PAIS (Public Affaris Information Service). New York: Public Affairs Information Service, 1972- .
(Bear Access and Mann Gateway [DIALOG]; also in print at Olin Ref)

An international index to periodical articles, books, pamphlets, and government documents on contemporary public policy issues: political, economic, and social conditions, public administration, and international affairs. The online version is updated monthly; the CD-ROM is updated quarterly. The print versions of this database: PAIS International in Print (1991-present) (Z7163 P971+), PAIS Bulletin (1976-1990) (Z7163 P97), and PAIS Foreign Language Index (1972-1990) (Z7163 P972) are available at Olin Reference.

Sage Family Studies Abstracts. Beverly Hills: Sage, 1979- .
(Mann Indexes Z7164 .M2 S12)

Abstracts of books, journal articles, pamphlets, government publications and legislative research studies are indexed by general subject classifications. These classifications include lifestyles, life cycles, marital and family processes, sex roles, therapy and counseling, and social issues. Quarterly. An author index and a keyword subject index are complete in each issue.

Social Sciences Index. New York: Wilson, 1974- .
(Olin Index Tables, Mann Ref)

The Social Sciences Index is an author and subject index to more than 260 of the most important scholarly periodicals in the fields of anthropology, area studies, economics, environmental science, political science, psychology, public administration, sociology, and related subjects. Only 77 social science periodicals were covered by its predecessor, the Social Sciences and Humanities Index. Lists book reviews at the back of each issue.

Sociofile. San Diego: Sociological Abstracts, 1972- . Quarterly.
(Bear Access: Cornell Library Catalog Plus [under IND]; also Mann Gateway [DIALOG])

Indexes and abstracts over 1,600 journals in sociology and related disciplines of anthropology, economics, education, medicine, community development, demography, political science and social psychology. It includes conference papers, dissertations, book reviews, and abstracts of books. The CD-ROM version provides coverage from 1974; the online version on the Mann Gateway covers 1963 to the present. Olin Reference has the print version Sociological Abstracts (Z7163 .S67) which began in 1952.

Women Studies Abstracts. Rush: Rush, 1972- .
(Olin Ref Z 7962 .W87)

Women Studies Abstracts is the quarterly indexing and abstracting publication for women studies. Article citations with abstracts are organized into these subject groupings: education and socialization; sex roles; employment; sexuality; family; society and government; mental and physical health; family planning, childbirth and abortion; media; interpersonal relations, and women's liberation movement. In addition to the subject arrangement, each issue is indexed. Annual indexes are published as well.

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EVALUATING AND VERIFYING PERIODICAL TITLES

Katz, Bill, and Linda Sternberg Katz. Magazines for Libraries. New York: Bowker, 1969-.
(Uris Ref Z 6941 .K21; also Olin Ref)

Magazines for Libraries is "...an annotated listing by subject of some 6,500 periodicals." (Preface) Each entry gives name of periodical, beginning publication date, publisher, editor, address, price and such information as indexing, size and level of audience. Short abstracts describe the scope, political slant and other aspects of the publication. Arrangement is topical which brings together magazines and journals on like subjects. To find an individual title, use the title index at the end of the volume.

Ulrich's International Periodicals Directory. New York: Bowker, 1932- .
(Olin Ready Reference; also Mann Reference)

A guide to an extensive list of current periodicals in all major disciplines. Gives detailed information about each periodical, including date of publication, name of editor, cost of subscription, number of subscribers, description of contents and where indexed. Updated annually.

See also HOW TO CRITICALLY ANALYZE INFORMATION SOURCES

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FORMATTING YOUR BIBLIOGRAPHY

American Psychological Association. Publication Manual. 4th ed. Washington: APA, 1994.
(Uris Ref BF76.7 .A51 1994; also Olin, Mann)

The authoritative style manual for anyone writing in the field of psychology. Its chapters discuss the content and organization of a manuscript, writing style, the American Psychological Association style, and typing, mailing and proofreading. In addition, Chapter 6 describes the journals of the American Psychological Association.

Online examples of APA style for bibliographies

Help sheet on writing annotated bibliographies

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HELP:

REFERENCE SERVICES IN URIS, MANN, AND OLIN LIBRARIES

When you begin work on your research paper, the reference staffs of Uris, Mann and Olin Libraries urge that you start at the Reference desk. We will help you to find the materials you need, and if necessary, refer you to one of the other libraries on campus. In Uris, the Reference desk is located on the main level of the Library to the right of the upper lobby. In Mann, the Reference desk is on the second floor, at the far end of the room containing the card catalogs; in Olin the Reference and Information desks are on the main floor across from the catalogs.

Mann Reference e-mail address: mann_ref@cornell.edu

Uris and Olin Reference e-mail address: okuref@cornell.edu

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Problems? Suggestions? Contact Michael Engle, moe1@cornell.edu
Text conversion and additional editing by Mark Mandel and Amy Blumenthal
Reference Services Division, Olin*Kroch*Uris Libraries
Cornell University Library
Revised July 8, 1997
URL: http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/hss315_sum97.html


Olin and Uris Libraries, Cornell University, Ithaca NY 14853
Information and reference: 607-255-4144, okuref@cornell.edu
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