Intro to Social Work 220
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 Book Delivery/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 Rutgers RIOT, the Libraries' online 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.
- Another useful source. 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.
- Off-Campus Access Rutgers-restricted Access and Dana Call Number: Ref. HV12 .E497 2005
- 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
- Almost complete. Individual sections of the latest Green Book are being posted to the House Ways and Means site prior to full publication.
- National Association of Social Workers. Social Work Speaks: National Association of Social Workers Policy Statements: 2009-2012. 8th edition. Washington, D.C., 2009.
- 64 policy statements, including 25 new/revised statements approved by the 2008 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, its legislative history, and a list of references.
- Dana Call Number: Ref HV85 .N33a 2009
- NASW Policy Statements Absracts
- Brief summaries of the above.
Finding Books: Library Catalogs
- IRIS
- The online catalog for the Rutgers University Libraries. IRIS is not a restricted database, anyone can access it from anywhere. However if you're coming in from off-campus and trying to connect to electronic journals or e-reserves from within IRIS you will need to be logged in. So you might find it less frustrating to use the off-campus version.
- Newark Law
- Camden Law
- Rutgers Law library materials are not listed in IRIS. So if your topic is in some way law-related, be sure and use the Law library catalogs.
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.
- Social Services Abstracts
- Index to research relating to social work, human services, and relating areas. Social Services Abstracts indexes over 1300 journals as well as dissertations.
- Off-Campus Link Restricted Access
Need More?
While the above indexes 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 basic annual U.S. statistical compilation. Earlier editions (back to 1878!) are also available.
American FactFinder
Select query elements to create maps and view data tables based on Census 2000, the 1990 Census, the American Community Survey, and the Economic Census. See definitions of the major geographic units for which census data is available.
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
- Social Work Laws & Regulations Database
- Find state licensing requirements. From the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).
- New Jersey State Board of Social Work Examiners
- New Jersey licensing and eligibility requirements.