TRACEy A. STIvERS
Social Sciences, Sociology, and Anthropology
4
Because of the broad nature of social sci- ences, it is no surprise that the number of reference works available in this area is quite vast. However, the number of comprehen- sive sources that attempt to cover the entire social sciences is still limited. The publica- tion of the twenty-six-volume
International encyclopedia of the social and behavioral sci- ences, published in print by Elsevier in 2001and also available in electronic format, was an enormous accomplishment, but the high cost of this resource prohibited its inclusion in this bibliography. Small and medium- sized libraries with limited budgets may wish to build their collections within spe- cialized subfields of the social sciences instead of acquiring general sources.
Whenever possible, libraries should collect the most recent editions of directo- ries and statistical sources. Local directo- ries of ser vices should also be collected if available.
Most of the titles in this chapter primarily
reflect Western culture, yet there is a grow-
ing trend to provide international coverage
within many of the sources. Every attempt
has been made to include international
sciences. Entries are concise (50–500 words) and easy to understand, and many provide references to other helpful articles in the text. Also includes biographies of 275 major influential social scien- tists and a comprehensive bibliography for further reading and research.
251 Encyclopaedia of the social sciences.
Edwin R. A. Seligman, ed. in chief;
Alvin Saunders Johnson, assoc. ed.
15v. Macmillan, 1930–1935. OP. ISBN 0878273557. $$
303 H41
This classic fifteen-volume resource was the first comprehensive encyclopedia of social sciences.
Included are the established disciplines of social science such as political science, economics, sociol- ogy, law, anthropology, and social work as well as disciplines with a social aspect, such as ethics, edu- cation, biology, and so forth. Volume 1 presents a discussion of the development of social thoughts and institutions as well a discussion of the his- torical development of social sciences throughout various geographic regions (Great Britain, Latin America, United States, etc.). Also included are 4,000 biographies of deceased individuals whose work has been significant within social sciences.
This work complements and is not superseded by the International encyclopaedia of the social sciences.
252 International encyclopedia of the social sciences. David L. Sills and Robert King Merton, eds. 17v. Free Press, 1968. OP. Reprint. 17v. in 8v. Macmillan, 1977. OP. Vol. 18, Biographical
supplement. 820p. (reprint v. 9) 1979.
OP. ISBN 0028956907. $$ Vol. 19, Social science quotations. 437p. 1991.
OP. ISBN 0029287510. $$
300 H40
First published in 1968, this classic subject encyclopedia is intended to complement, not supersede, the Encyclopaedia of the social sciences.
Whereas the previous title took a more historical approach to covering the topic of social sciences, the International encyclopaedia of the social sciences reflects the development and expansion of the field in the 1960s. The Biographical supplement (vol- ume 18, published in 1979) adds 215 additional biographical sketches to the 600 covered in the previous seventeen volumes. There is very little overlap with the 4,000 biographies covered in the Encyclopaedia of the social sciences. The most recent
supplement, Social science quotations (volume 19, published in 1991), presents memorable quotes throughout history that make up the “historical core of the social sciences and social thought.” For more recent coverage of the topic of social sciences, libraries with larger budgets may want to consider the twenty-six-volume International encyclopedia of the social and behavioral sciences, published in print by Elsevier in 2001 and also available in electronic format (the online version is updated regularly).
This comprehensive encyclopedia includes 4,000 articles and 150 biographical entries and is the largest work ever published in the social sciences.
The cost is quite steep (over $10,000), however, so it might be out of reach for many small or medium- sized libraries.
253 Sage encyclopedia of social science research methods. Michael S. Lewis- Beck, Alan Bryman, and Tim Futing Liao, eds. 3v. Sage, 2004. ISBN 0761923632. $$$
300 H62
This three-volume reference is the first encyclope- dia to deal specifically with social science research methods. These topics are essential for users across the various social sciences, including anthropology, communications, education, psychology, sociology, and so forth. Although the material is important for social science students, the entries are written in ordinary English, which makes them accessible to general readers who do not have advanced knowl- edge of the methods. The encyclopedia includes more than 900 alphabetically arranged entries, which can be divided into two types. The first are short entries that are merely definitions to give the reader a quick explanation of a methodologi- cal term. The second type of entries are in-depth essays of varying lengths, which include references and cross-references for additional reading. Each volume includes the same comprehensive bibliog- raphy as the appendix, and volume 3 contains an index of subjects and names.
254 Social issues in America: An ency- clopedia. James Ciment, ed. 8v. M. E.
Sharpe, 2006. ISBN 0765680610. $$
361.973 HN57
Designed for the general reader, this eight-volume encyclopedia provides access to information on a wide range of social issues affecting the United States. Examples of topics covered include aca- demic freedom, consumer debt, homeland security,
medical malpractice, stem cell research, and terror- ism. Entries are approximately ten pages each and are arranged alphabetically. They include an over- view of the topic, a chronology of events related to the topic, bibliographic references including web- sites, a glossary of important terms, and excerpts from important documents on the topic. Tables and graphs accompany many of the entries. Each volume includes a topic finder, which lists articles under fourteen broad topics, such as educational issues, family issues, and political issues. A cross- reference index is also available near the beginning of each volume listing related topics. Volume 8 is an extensive index to the entire collection.
255 The social science encyclopedia. 3rd ed.
Adam Kuper and Jessica Kuper, eds. 2v.
Routledge, 2004. ISBN 0415320968. $$
300 H41
Now in its third edition, this two-volume title is an excellent, concise encyclopedia of the social sci- ences, containing some 600 key concepts and issues.
Entries are arranged alphabetically and include cross-references and bibliographic references. In addition to terms such as race, corruption, and mar- riage, such prominent individuals as Karl Marx and John Locke are also covered. Volume 1 presents a listing of entries by discipline or subject, such as anthropology, gender, philosophy, and sociology.
Several tables and figures are also included. A com- prehensive index completes the set.
Bibliographies and Guides
256 Information sources in the social sciences. David Fisher, Sandra P. Price, and Terry Hanstock, eds. 511p. K. G.
Saur, 2002. ISBN 3598244398. $
016.3 H61
Published by the German company K. G. Saur, this bibliography presents an international guide to key sources in the social sciences. The intent of this vol- ume is to direct the reader to the most useful mate- rials, which were chosen by subject specialists.
The first chapter focuses on general social science sources, while the following chapters deal with various subdisciplines, such as sociology, anthro- pology, criminology, education, and so forth. Each chapter begins with a discussion of the nature and scope of that topic, followed by the various anno- tated sources, which are grouped according to their material type. Examples of material types include encyclopedias, bibliographies, websites, journals,
and so forth. A comprehensive index to titles and subjects is available.
257 The social sciences: A cross-
disciplinary guide to selected sources.
3rd ed. Nancy L. Herron, ed. 494p.
Libraries Unlimited, 2002. ISBN 1563088827 (pbk.). $
016.3 Z7161; H61
This guide contains more than 1,000 annotated citations to resources in the social sciences, selected by subject-specialist librarians. Annotations are orga nized in four parts: general social sciences;
established disciplines, including sociology and economics; disciplines that have acquired a social aspect, such as education and psychology; and related disciplines, like geography and commu- nication. Each chapter contains an essay with an overview of resources in that area, followed by annotations of the various sources orga nized by type of material (e.g., encyclopedias, handbooks, guides, etc.). Sources include both print, media, and electronic resources. Author, title, and subject indexes are available.
Handbooks
258 Current issues: Macmillan social science library. Macmillan Library Reference USA; Visual Education Corporation. 4v. Macmillan Reference USA, 2003. ISBN 0028657446. $$
306 HN59.2
This four-volume work contains 265 entries of cur- rent issues, such as abortion, censorship, pollution, and women’s rights. Each article presents an over- view of the topic along with relevant background information. Constitutional, environmental, ethi- cal, and social factors related to the topic are also presented. Different points of view on the topic are also offered to provide a balanced presentation, and cross-references at the end of each entry direct users to related topics. Sidebars are often available to provide definitions, quotations, and other infor- mation about the topic. Each volume also includes a cumulative table of contents, glossary, cumulative index, and a list of additional resources. This work provides a great starting point for students who need topic ideas for research papers.
259 Reader’s guide to the social sciences.
Jonathan Michie, ed. 2v. Fitzroy
Dearborn, 2001. ISBN 1579580912. $$
300 H41
Intended as a starting point for research, this two- volume work provides a guide to key literature for various topics within the social sciences. Entries are presented alphabetically and begin with a listing of key resources, followed by a discussion of each resource and its importance for that topic. Each volume includes an alphabetic list of entries and a thematic list of entries by broad categories, such as economics, law, politics, sociology, and so forth.
Most of these broad categories are broken down into smaller categories to narrow in on a specific topic, such as elections, gender studies, and urban