Intro to Social Work: Basic Resources
The Basics
Restricted Access
Many of the resources listed in the sections below are marked Restricted Access. You should have no problem connecting to these from any networked computer on campus. However, in order to use these from off-campus you must log in with your Rutgers NetID. For instructions see the Libraries' Remote Access to Library Resources.
Off-Campus Links
If you are not on-campus, use these links to connect to Rutgers' library resources. If you haven't already logged in with your NetID [your pegasus username and password] these links will take you to the login page.
IRIS: Find Books
IRIS is the online catalog for all the Rutgers University Libraries except the Newark and Camden Law Libraries. Many of the sections below include suggestions for searching IRIS to locate other books on the topic(s) covered in that section. Show Me How
Getting Books From Other Rutgers Libraries
If a book that you need is not available (not owned/checked out) at the Dana Library, but is available from another Rutgers Library, you can request delivery of that book to Dana by bringing up the record for the book in IRIS and clicking on tbe Deliver/Recall button. Show Me
Book Not Available/Not Owned by the Rutgers Libraries?
The fastest way to get a copy of a book that is not owned or not available (checked out/on Reserve/missing etc.) at the Rutgers Libraries is to request it through E-Z Borrow. E-Z Borrow books are normally received within about five working days. Tell Me More
If a book is not owned by the Rutgers Libraries and is not available via E-Z Borrow, you can place an Interlibrary Loan request. Tell Me More
Becoming an 'Expert' User
Want to maximize your use of Library resources? Check out Searchpath, the Libraries' interactive tutorial.
Citing Your Sources
You will be using MLA (Modern Language Association) style when citing the sources that you use in your research papers. The MLA Style Manual is available at the Dana Library Reference Desk. The Writing Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison also has a nice introduction to MLA Documentation that will give you the basic information you need to create MLA citations and a Works Cited list.
You can also import references from IRIS and many of the electronic databases into RefWorks, a web-based bibliography and database manager. RefWorks will build your bibliography for you based on whatever style sheet you specify (MLA, Chicago, etc.). For information on setting up your (free) RefWorks account see the RefWorks FAQ.
Not sure when you need to cite something? Check out the Plagiarism Guide
Getting Started: Basic Reference Works
Need a quick definition?
Try The Social Work Dictionary by Robert L. Barker.
Rutgers Library Locations: DANA, ALEX, CAMDEN REF HV12.B37 2003
The Encyclopedia of Social Work is a good place to begin.
Encyclopedia of Social Work. 20th edition. New York, National Association of Social Workers, 2008.
Contains about 400 lengthy signed articles with bibliographies on topics felt to be of particular relevance of social work, as well as 200 brief biographies of key figures in the history of social work. Many articles include a historical overview.
Off-Campus Access Rutgers-restricted Access
Encyclopedia articles usually present a good overview of the topic, and identify the current issues, approaches, and scholarship relating to that topic. Knowing the issues can help you focus your research on a particular aspect of a topic.
Anything else?
Yes, at the end of each article there's an extensive bibliography, a long list of articles, books, reports, etc. that relate to this particular topic. You can use that list to identify sources that you can look for and use in your own research.
Social Welfare & Social Work History
- Encyclopedia of Social Welfare History in North America
- John M. Herrick and Paul H. Stuart (eds.). Thousand Oakes, California: Sage Publications, 2005.
- 180 essays, most signed, on the people, topics, and organizations that were important to the development of social welfare policies, services, and institutions in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Most entries have suggestions for "Further Reading," and many include references to relevant primary source collections as well as to published primary sources. A "Reader's Guide" (pp. x to xvi) lists entries by country and category.
- Dana Call Number: Ref. HV12 .E497 2005 List of Entries
- Social Work History Station
- Includes Progress and Reform: A Cyberhistory of Social Work's Formative Years [1860-1940], as well as a picture gallery and links to related sites and resources. Compiled by Dan Huff (Boise State University).
- Platt, Anthony M. and Cooreman, Jenifer L. " A Multicultural Chronology of Welfare Policy and Social Work in the United States," Social Justice 28(1), Spring 2001, 91-137.
- "This chronology is designed to introduce future social workers to significant events, policies, people, and publications in the history of welfare policy and social work in the United States...Issues of race and racism, ethnicity, class, gender, and sexuality are central to the chronology's perspective." Includes a extensive bibliography.
- Off-Campus Access Rutgers-restricted Access
Social Policies and Programs
- "The Top 5 Social Justice Issues Facing Social Workers Today," Social Work Today 7(2), March/April 2007, p.24
- Essays on the five issues identified in an informal survey of social workers.
- Overview of Entitlement Programs: 2004 Green Book
- Biennial publication of data as well as the history and description of the social and economic programs including Social Security, employment, welfare, child support, the elderly, and families with children, under the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 2008 Green Book
- Individual sections of the latest Green Book are being posted to the House Ways and Means site prior to full publication.
- Social Work Speaks: National Association of Social Workers Policy Statements: 2006-2009
- National Association of Social Workers. 7th edition. Washington, D.C., 2006.
- 64 policy statements, including 22 new statements approved by the 2005 NASW Delegate Assembly, designed to guide policy advocacy and legal action. Topic areas include adolescents, aging, behavioral health, child welfare, community, discrimination and equity issues, education, employment, ethnicity and race, families and children, family planning, gender issues, health, 'macro issues,' political action, social work professional statements, substance abuse, and violence. Each statement includes background information, a statement of issues, the policy statement, and a list of references.
- Dana Call Number: Ref HV88 .N686 2006
Directories of Agencies and Programs
- Health & Human Services Resource Locators
- General Assistance Resources; Health-Related Resources; and Human Services-Related Resources.
- New Jersey Community Resources
- Very useful directory with links to statewide organizations, governmental agencies, and nonprofits providing social services in New Jersey. Organized by region.
- Directory of Homeless & Housing Advocacy Coalitions: New Jersey
- Directory of Local Homeless Service Organizations: New Jersey
- Domestic Violence - Hotlines and Resources
- Links to National and State agencies and organizations. From the Feminist Majority Foundation.
- Domestic Violence and New Americans: Directory of Programs and Resources for Battered Refugee Women.
- Rockville, Md., U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Center for Mental Health Services, Refugee Mental Health Program. 2002.
- Dana Call Number: Ref. HV6626.2 .D664 2002
- Eldercare Locator
- Information and links to state, local, and community-based agencies and organizations serving older adults based on type of information needed and locality.
- New Jersey Long-Term Care Facilities Database
- Search by location, type of facility, funding sources, and specialized care.
- Directory of Local Health Departments in New Jersey
Target Populations
Women and Children
Women
- Women's Rights in the United States : A Documentary History
- Edited by Winston E. Langley and Vivian C. Fox. Westport, Conn. : Greenwood Press, 1994.
- Key primary documents including speeches and letters, congressional testimony, court decisions, government reports, position papers, statutes, and news stories. From the Colonial period through 1993.
- Dana Call Number: Ref. HQ1236.5.U6W68 1994
- Violence Against Women - Federal Legislation and Regulations
- From the Justice Department's Office on Violence Against Women.
- Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003
Children
- The State of America's Children 2005
- "In-depth analyses of the current status of family income, child health, child care and early childhood development, education, child welfare, and youth development." From the Children's Defense Fund.
- America's Children 2008
- Washington, D.C., Government Printing Office.
- Annual report from the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics.
- National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW) 1997-2010
- Survey mandated by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. Looks at the characterisitcs of the children and families that come into contact with the child welfare system; the pathways and services they experience while in the system; and the short and longer-term effects of the experience for these children and families.
- The Cost of Protecting Vulnerable Children IV: How
Child Welfare Funding Fared During the Recession
- Cynthia Andrews Scarcella et. al. Washington, D.C., The Urban Institute, 2004.
- Examines "the amount states spent on child welfare activities in state fiscal year (SFY) 2002, the funding sources they used, how funds were used, and how funding has shifted since federal welfare reform and ASFA."
- Federal Foster Care Financing: How and Why the Current Funding Structure Fails to Meet the Needs of the Child Welfare Field ASPE Issue Brief. Updated August 2005.
The Elderly
Some relevant subject headings that you can use in IRIS include:
- Older People United States
- Older People Services For United States
- Aging United States
- Older Americans 2008: Key Indicators of Well-Being
- Washington, D.C., Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics. March 2008.
- Chartbook relating to the health and well-being of Americans 65 and older.
- Issues in Focus: Social Security Reform
- Finding and links from the Urban Institute.
- Innovation in the Aging Network: The Future of Social Services for Older Americans
- Washington, D.C., Government Printing Office, 2006.
- Hearing before the Special Committee on Aging, United States Senate, 109th Congress, 2d session, Washington, D.C., May 3, 2006.
- Gratton, Brian. " The Poverty of Impoverishment Theory: The Economic Well-Being of the Elderly, 1890-1950," Journal of Economic History 56(1), 1996, 39-61. Off-Campus Access Rutgers-restricted Access
- Hudson, Robert B. " The New Political Environment in Aging: Challenges to Policy and Practice," Families in Society 86(3). July/September 2005, 321-7. Off-Campus Access Rutgers-restricted Access
African-Americans
Some relevant subject headings that you can use in IRIS include:
- African Americans Social Conditions
- African Americans Civil Rights History
- Segregation in Education United States
- Discrimination in Employment United States History
- Losing Ground: American Social Policy, 1950-1980
- Charles A. Murray. New York, Basic Books, 1984.
- Dana Call Number: HN59 .M87 1984
- Race, Poverty and Public Policy
- Mary Jo. Bane. March 2005
- Williams, David R. and Jackson, Pamela Braboy. "Social Sources of Racial Disparities in Health," Health Affairs 24(2), March/April 2005, 325-334.
- Off-Campus Access Rutgers-restricted Access
- Alston, Reginald J. "African Americans with Disabilities and the Social Security Administration's Return-to-Work Incentives," Journal of Disability Policy Studies 14(4), Spring 2004, 216-221.
- Review of SSCI policies and the cultural variables specific to African Americans that may negate return-to-work incentives.
- Off-Campus Access Restricted Access
- Quadagno, Jill. " Race and American Social Policy," National Forum 76(3), Summer 1996, 35-38.
- Off-Campus Access Restricted Access
- Minter, Thomas K. and Alfred E Prettyman. "Education," Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History. New York, Macmillan, 1996, vol. 2, pp. 846-876.
- Overview of the history of African-American education from slavery thru current issues involving school choice. Includes a lengthy bibliography.
- Dana Call Number: Ref. E185 .E54 1996.
Hispanics/Latinos
- Latino Encyclopedia
- Richard and Rafael Chabran, editors. New York, Marshall Cavendish, 1996. 6 vols.
- More than 1900 entries ranging from several paragraphs to signed full-length articles with annotated bibliographies relating to the Latino experience in the United States.
- Dana Call Number: Ref. E184 .S75L57 1996.
- Martinez-Ebers, Valerie et at. "Latino Interests in Education, Health, and Criminal Justice Policy," PS: Political Science and Politics 33(3), September 2000, 547-554.
- Off-Campus Access Rutgers-restricted Access
- The Social Security Program and Reform: A Latino Perspective. June 2005
- From the National Council of La Raza.
- Canino-Arroyo, Maria Josefa. "Reflections on Latino Advocacy and Welfare Reform in New Jersey," Centro Journal 15(1), Spring 2003, 176-195.
Immigrants
To find books on immigrants in the United States search IRIS, the Rutgers online catalog. Some relevant subject headings include:
- Immigrants United States
- Immigrants United States Social Conditions
- United States Emigration and Immigration
- United States Emigration and Immigration Government Policy
- Encyclopedia of American Immigration
- James Ciment, Immanuel Ness, editors. Armonk, N.Y., M.E. Sharpe, 2000. 4 vols.
- Immigration history; immigration issues (causes, demographics, acculturation, laws and legislation, politics, economics, etc.); and immigration documents (laws, treaties, court cases, reports, etc.).Volumes 3 and 4 contain articles on specific immigrant groups in America.
- Dana Call Number: Ref. JV6465.E53 2000
- Padilla, Yolanda C. " Immigrant Policy: Issues for Social Work Practice," Social Work 42(6), November 1997, 595-606.
- Off-Campus Access Rutgers-restricted Access
- Executive Summary: U.S. Immigration: A Legislative History
- "Highlights the history of U.S. immigration legislation and the parallel rise and fall in numbers and changing ethnic makeup." From the Population Resource Center.
- S.2611: Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006: Summary
- Summary of the bill passed by the U.S. Senate on May 25, 2006.
- 2007 Enacted State Legislation Related to Immigrants and Immigration. August 6, 2006
- "As of July 2, 2007, no fewer than 1404 pieces of legislation related to immigrants and immigration had been introduced among the 50 state legislatures. From January to July 2nd 2007, 170 bills became law in 41 states." From the National Conference of State Legislatures.
- Immigration Debate: Politics, Ideologies of Anti-Immigration Forces. June 17, 2005.
- Tom Barry. An Interhemispheric Resource Center (IRC) Americas Program Special Report.
Veterans
- Veteran Data & Information
- From the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Veterans Benefit History
- Brief overview of benefits from the Revolutionary era to Vietnam. From PBS.
- Veterans
- "This research Web page provides links to the Veterans Affairs network and highlights the broad spectrum of social work research wherein veterans are the study population." From the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
The Mentally Ill
To find books on the treatment of the mentally ill search IRIS, the Rutgers online catalog. Some relevant subject headings include:
- Mentally Ill Care United States
- Mental Illness United States
- "History of Mental Health Services," IN Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, Md., National Institute of Mental Health, 1999. Chapter 2, pp. 75; 78-80.
- Grob, Gerald N. " The Transformation of the Mental Hospital in the United States," American Behavioral Scientist 28(5), May/June 1985, 639-654.
- Off-Campus Link Rutgers-restricted Access.
The Mentally Disabled
To find books on the treatment of the mentally disabled search IRIS, the Rutgers online catalog. Some relevant subject headings include:
- People with Mental Disabilities United States
- People with Mental Disabilities Institutional Care United States
- Goode, David. "A Short History of the Treatment of Persons With Mental Retardation," IN "And Now Let's Build a Better World": The Story of the Association for the Help of Retarded Children, New York City 1948-1998. New York, AHRC, 1998. Chapter 1, pp.6-17.
Prisoners
Some relevant subject headings that you can use in IRIS include:
- Prisoners United States
- African American Prisoners
- Children of prisoners
- Women prisoners
- Prisoners in .....
- Data on State and Federal prison populations at year-end, population change from previous year, and prison growth rates. Prisoner gender breakdowns on December 31st. Also includes incarceration rates for the States, as well as prison capacities and the use of local jails, privately operated prisons, Federal, and other State facilities to house inmates. Based on data from the National Prisoner Statistics series. Series, 1994- .
- New Jersey Offender Statistics
- Reports from the New Jersey Department of Corrections. Data on correctional populations, offenders by base offense, by term, by age group, by race/ethnic identity, and by county of commitment. 2001-2006 available online. 1992- [(As Annual Offender Characteristics Report) available at DOCNJ HV 8482 .N5 O3381.
People with Substance Abuse Issues
Some relevant subject headings that you can use in IRIS include:
- Drug abuse
- Substance abuse treatment
- Alcoholism
- 2002 National Drug Control Strategy
- The five-year plan from the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Appendix includes tables of drug related data.
- 2004 National Drug Control Strategy Update.
- Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator
- Search or browse a directory of federal, state, local, and private facilities that provide drug abuse and alcoholism treatment services.
- National Survey on Drug Use & Health
- Annual survey on the prevalence, patterns and consequences of drug and alcohol use and abuse in the U.S.
Finding Articles
- Social Sciences Full Text
- The basic index for finding articles in the social sciences. Indexes over 550 of the core, English language journals in social science disciplines including sociology and social work, public administration, political science, public welfare, and urban studies. Indexes many journals back to 1982 and, beginning with 1995, includes many full-text articles.
- Off-Campus Access Rutgers-restricted Access.
Need More?
While Social Sciences Full Text will usually give you what you need for a basic research paper in the social work, if you're working on a more extensive project, or a more specialized topic, you may need a more focused index. Check out the complete list of Rutgers online indexes and databases.
Keeping Up With the News
Today's News
Many newspapers allow you to register and receive free access to at least a portion of that day's published articles.
- The New York Times
- The Washington Post
- The Star-Ledger
All the News
- Access World News
- Access to the full text of over 600 U.S. and over 700 international newspapers. Includes access to the Newark Star-Ledger back to 1996.
- Off-Campus Access Rutgers-restricted Access
Need Some Data?
- The New Jersey Municipal Data Book
- Montclair, N.J., New Jersey Associates, 1981- Annual
- One page summaries [sample] of the population, government, finances, schools, and other characterisitics of each of New Jersey's towns and cities.
- Dana Call Number: REF HD4606.N49N5. Most recent volume at Reference Desk.
- Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2007
- The basic annual U.S. statistical compilation. You can also links to tables from the 2001-2006 editions. Print copies of latest edition of the Statistical Abstract are available at the Dana Reference Desk.
- Adoption and Foster Care Statistics
- From the Children's Bureau (CB), one of the bureaus within the Administration for Children and Families, of the Department of Health and Human Services.
- Domestic Violence Statistics
- Compiled by the ABA Commission on Domestic Violence.
- National Elder Abuse Incidence Study: Final Report, September 1998.
- Child Welfare in New Jersey
- Data from the Children's Defense Fund.
- New Jersey Health Statistics
- Annual statistical reports on New Jersey births, deaths, marriages, divorces, and domestic partnerships, and general population from 1993 to the present.
Professional Resources
Social Work Ethics
- NASW Code of Ethics
- Ethics & Professional Liability
- Links compiled by the New York City Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.
- Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics
- Freely accessible professional journal that "addresses ethical and value issues that encompass the full range of social problems and issues that social workers encounter."
Licensing
- Licensing and Certification Directory
- State-by-state summary tables of licensing requirements. From the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).
- New Jersey State Board of Social Work Examiners
- New Jersey licensing and eligibility requirements.
Finding Law
LexisNexis Academic
Includes indexes to legal periodicals and law reviews, federal and state case law, Shepard's ® for US Supreme Court cases, and federal and state codes and regulations.
Off-Campus Access Rutgers-restricted Access