CRIJ1307 (Dr. Hueston): Crime in America
Purpose: To help you find Cornette Library sources to complete your assignment.
Assignment: Find and create a "Reference List" for 8 sources (two each from the Reference Collection, periodicals, government documents, and the Internet/Web). DO NOT write a paper.
Topic: Your choice of campus rape, campus binge drinking, or terrorism in the United States.
Reference Sources
- Excellent place to start research.
- Provide background information.
- Include basic information sources like dictionaries, encyclopedias, bibliographies, chronologies, and research guides.
Research Guides, Dictionaries/Encyclopedias, Statistics, and Others
- The Bioterrorism Sourcebook NEW!
- RC88.9 .T47 G746 2006 Ref.
- Health oriented coverage on bioterrorism issues.
- Criminal Justice Information : How to Find It, How to Use It
- HV419.5 .C75 1998 Ref.
- Describes print and electronic information sources.
- Dictionary of American Criminal Justice: Key Terms and Major Supreme Court Cases
- HV7411 .C48 2005 Ref.
- Defines criminal justice terms and summarizes major Supreme Court cases. Index.
- Encyclopedia of Crime & Justice
- HV6017 .E52 2002 Ref.
- In-depth focus on criminal justice topics. References and index.
- Encyclopedia of Crime and Punishment
- HV6017 .E524 2002
- In depth-focus on issues of crime, punishment, deterrence, etc. References and index.
- Encyclopedia of Intelligence and Counterintelligence
- JF1525 .I6 E64 2005 Ref.
- History and details of espionage and the efforts to protect secret government information. References and index.
- Encyclopedia of Sociology
- HM425 .E5 2000 Ref.
- Subject encyclopedia includes articles on alcohol, sexual violence and terrorism. References and index.
- Encyclopedia of Terrorism
- HV6431 .K883 2003 Ref.
- Terrorist groups and methods, history of terrorism, major attacks, and more. References and index.
- Statistical Abstract of the United States
- HA202 .A2 Ref. Desk
- Statics on law enforcement, courts, and prisons. Index.
- The World Almanac and Book of Facts
- AY67 .N5 W7 Ref. Desk
- Also available online.
- Annual publication, includes U.S. crime statistics. Index.
- The Texas Almanac
- AY 311 .D3 T5 Ref. Desk
- Also available online.
- Annual publication, includes Texas crime statistics. Index.
- Terrorism
- HV 6431 .H43 2001 Ref.
- Includes an overview of terrorism, a chronology of events, definitions of related words, biographical information, and an annotated bibliography of sources on terrorism.
- CQ Researcher
- H35 .E35 Ref.
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- Provides in-depth, objective reports including a chronological review of the topic,
- Details recent developments and presents opposing viewpoints,
- Includes appropriate statistics and a bibliography.
- Now available online from the Congressional Quarterly Electronic Library
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Journals
Provide current information
- Library shelves contain more than 1500 bound and current journals.
- Databases index articles found in journals and magazines.
- Citation only;
- Citation and a short summary of the article (abstract);
- Full text;
- For this assignment be sure to use scholarly sources, not general interest magazines. The differences are important, for citation and for evaluating reliability.
How to Access Databases
- On-campus: In the library or HELC.
- Off-campus: Login with your Buff Advisor username (for example, js123456) and your Buff Advisor password (for example, buffaloes).
Which Database?
- Academic Search Complete
- Contains abstracts and citations for a broad range of topics, with substantial full-text. Over 3,000 peer-reviewed sources.
- ScienceDirect Journals
- Full-text of Journal of Criminal Justice from the first volume in 1973 through the most current issue. Also contains scholarly journals about sociology and psychology.
- Online Journals - Category
- Select Category "Law", then Subcategory "Crime, Criminology, and Law Enforcement" and click GO for a list of online journals that relate to the field.
Logo
- Displays in most of our databases. Links from a citation to one or more of the following:
- One or more links to full-text of the cited article,
- A link to a pre-set search of the Cornette Library catalog for the cited item,
- A link to a pre-filled Interlibrary Loan request form for the article, or
- A link to various help options.
- For more information see the tutorial Using SFX to Link to Articles
Need Help?
- Ask at the Reference Desk (first floor) or Periodicals Desk (second floor).
- Call 651-2215 during the hours Cornette Library is open.
- Use the "Ask A Librarian" form for electronic reference help.
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Government Information
Cornette Library collects United States federal and Texas state documents on many topics.
- Most U.S. documents published since 1994 are listed in the Cornette Library's Online Catalog.
Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications
- Indexes all United States government documents made available through the Government Printing Office.
- Online via FirstSearch. (1976-present)
Government Web Sites
- U.S. Government Web Sites
- Cornette Library's guide to finding U.S. government web sites.
- Homeland Security
- Federal agancy with primary responsibity fro preventing and responding to terrorism in the United States.
- Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics
- J 29.9/6: (Government Documents)
- Reports various criminal justice statistics.
- U.S. Department of Justice
- Primary Federal criminal justice executive agency. See also the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency, and ATF Online.
- Texas Web Sites
- Cornette Library's guide to finding Texas government web sites.
- Texas Department of Public Safety
- Primary state law enforcement agency, includes State Troopers and Texas Rangers. See crime statistics, conviction record information, and sex offenders.
- Texas Department of Criminal Justice
- Texas agency which operates state prisons, state jails, parole, and probation.
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Internet/Web
- The World Wide Web can be an excellent source of information.
- Not everything found on the Web is accurate.
- You must evaluate information on the Web.
Criminal Justice Web Sites
- National Criminal Justice Reference Service
- Contains text of a number of special reports on crime issues published by the U.S. Department of Justice.
- Almanac of Policy Issues
- Comprehensive background information and links on major U.S. public policy issues.
- Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics
- Site offers keyword search and topic browse access to more than 600 tables from various governmental sources.
- Bureau of Justice Statistics
- Statistics on criminal offenders, victims, prison inmates, etc. collected by the U.S. Department of Justice
Web Guides
- Searchable lists of annotated web sites, discussion lists, and electronic journals that have met specific selection criteria.
- Scout Report Archives
- Scholarly. Keyword or advanced search. Results listed by relevance.
- INFOMINE Scholarly Internet Resource Collections
- Scholarly. Keyword search or browse by general subject area. Can limit to free sites.
- Librarians' Index to the Internet
- General public interest. Keyword search, or browse by general topic and subtopic.
Specific Web Sites
- Recommended Web Sites: Bioterrorism
- Recommended Web Sites: International Terrorism
- Recommended Web Sites: September 11, 2001 and Aftermath
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Citing Your Sources
Why must I cite the sources I use for research projects?
- To give credit to the author of the information you use.
- To avoid plagiarism (WTAMU Code of Student Life: Appendix I-Academic Integrity Code). Plagiarism is a serious offense that can result in a failing grade or worse!
- So that others can verify the information.
- To assist others in doing their own research.
APA Style
- Dr. Hueston requires you to use Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Fifth Edition.
- A copy of the APA manual is located at the Reference Desk.
- Additional assistance is available from our Citation Basics web page.
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Your Comments
- Suggestions for improvements?
- Particularly helpful items?
- Please email Mary Jarvis.
Thank you.
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