Subject Support for Political Science & Sociology

Books for Political Science & Sociology are located on the first floor of the Main Library.  Political Science & Sociology books will mostly be found at the Dewey numbers 300 to 399.  To see where books on specific topics within the broader discipline can be found please see our Dewey Guide.

• Search for a book
• More about books

Copies of printed journals for Political Science and Sociology are located on the first floor of the Main Library.  However, the vast majority of our journals are available electronically rather than in print via the Library catalogue.

• Search for a journal
• More about journals

Past theses of former students can be read within the Library. You can search for theses in the Library catalogue - after your search narrow your results down to theses by choosing Collection - Theses Collection on the right hand side of the screen. 

We also provide access to several databases that index theses submitted in other Universities internationally.

• Search for an NUI Galway thesis
• Search for theses at other Universities
• More about theses

Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, Handbooks, Statistics and other reference works can be an invaluable starting point for your research or study.  They also provide ready-reference access to factual information.

• More about Reference Works

The Library catalogue enables you to find out if the Library has particular books or journals, or to identify books on a subject by keyword.

To identify journal articles on a particular topic you need to use a database.  Databases for your discipline are listed at the link below.

• Political Science & Sociology Databases

If you require assistance please contact the Subject Librarian for Arts, Social Sciences & Celtic Studies, Kathleen Burke.  Kathleen has specialist knowledge of the literature and information resources for Political Science & Sociology and is available to assist you with your subject queries, which may be received in person, by email, or by telephone.

View the training events calendar to see forthcoming training events, or contact any of the Political Science and Sociology subject support team if you'd like to request training.

By providing an accurate bibliography and references you demonstrate the range and depth of the research that you have done on your essay or thesis.

It is therefore essential to keep accurate records of the books, journal articles and general sources that you have used. It also ensures that there is no suspicion of plagiarism.

Different subject areas use different referencing styles.  Your lecturers will be able to advise which style you should use.

The Library has created a   for the Harvard Referencing Style. Ask for a copy at the Customer Services Desk or download directly from the Library web site.

EndNote

EndNote is a popular software package designed to help you create references and bibliographies. It integrates with Microsoft Word enabling you to cite references in any one of several hundred styles eg: Harvard, MLA, or Vancouver as well as providing a portable “library” of all your references that you can add to over time.

The Library provides introductory EndNote training sessions throughout the year. For information on these, please visit the  page.

More information supporting your studies is available from the School of Political Science & Sociology website.

Remember, our Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Research Librarian, Gwen Ryan is available to support research in Political Science & Sociology.