Subject librarian
Research: Social Work
Social work is one of the broadest fields in social and human services. The primary theoretical foundation that drives social work is that of developing appropriate interventions. Historically, the focus of interventions has changed due to different theoretical orientations.
Social workers serve in a wide range of capacities including as clinical counselors, professionals in social agencies, child welfare workers, and many other areas of human services (Salem Press Encyclopedia, 2019).
Best Databases for Social Work
- Criminal Justice DatabaseThis is a comprehensive database supporting research on crime, its causes and impacts, legal and social implications, as well as litigation and crime trends. It includes as U.S. and international scholarly journals, correctional and law enforcement trade publications, dissertations, crime reports, crime blogs and other material relevant for researchers or those preparing for careers in criminal justice, law enforcement and related fields. Coverage 1981-
- Sage Premier Collection
It includes international, peer-reviewed journals, including high-impact research titles published on behalf of over 500 scholarly and professional societies.
Electronic access to more than 1,000 peer-reviewed journals (over 1 million articles)
Complimentary access back to 1999 and includes collections in Communication, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work and Social Policy, Political Science, Urban Studies, Criminal Justice, Education, Nursing, Public Health, Management and Organization as well agriculture. - Psychology and Behavioral Sciences CollectionHas full text coverage of nearly 400 journals. Covers topics such as emotional and behavioral characteristics, mental processes, observational and experimental methods.
- Taylor and Francis OnlineTaylor and Francis Online contains journal packages for Education, Biology, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Business, Health Sciences, and Social Sciences.
- Social Work AbstractsProduced by the National Association of Social Workers, Inc., this database contains more than 45,000 records, spanning 1977 to the present, from social work and other related journals on topics such as homelessness, AIDS, child and family welfare, aging, substance abuse, legislation, community organization, and more.
- Social Work Reference CenterAn information resource for social workers and mental health professionals. Created by a multi-specialty editorial team, it covers a wide array of topics such as adolescent health, aging, end-of-life care, clinical social work, and diversity.
- Social Services AbstractsThis provides bibliographic coverage of current research focused on social work, human services and related areas, including social welfare, social policy and community development. The database abstracts and indexes over 1,300+ serials publications and includes abstracts of journal articles and dissertations and citations to book reviews.
- Academic Search CompleteA multi-disciplinary database with both scholarly and popular journals. It's a good source for, among other things, background information on a topic.
- Zotero"Your personal research assistant." Once it's downloaded into your browser, Zotero allows you to collect, annotate, cite, and share your sources.
Social and Economic Justice
Social Work is committed to upholding economic and social justice ideals, including fairness, equity, and equality. Examples of areas of service: outreach, grassroots mobilization, lobbying, community development, and public awareness efforts (National Association of Social Workers).
Critical Thinking and Writing
Three common types of professional writing in social work are case notes, assessments, and treatment plans. Each type grows out of good listening skills; accurate case notes, a clear assessment, and an effective treatment plan rely on accurate and objective details recorded during client interviews.
Common tasks for writers in Social Work
- Understand the Task and Revise
- Provide Relevant Details
- Move Beyond Description
- Use Appropriate Evidence
- Use TSU Research Librarians through the research process
- Document sources accurately and ethically
Basic Research Methods
- Essential research methods for social workPhysical Book, Located: Course Reserves, Circulation Desk, 1st Flr - Main HV11 .R83 2016
- Qualitative methods in social work research / Deborah K. Padgett, New York University.Physical Book, Located: Shelf 1st Flr - Main HV11 .P24 2017
- Social work research methods : learning by doingPhysical Book, Located: Shelf 1st Flr - Main HV11 .Y574 2020
Research Guides for Equality and Justice
Government Documents
Most English-speaking countries, including the United States, produce data and reports relevant to social work.
See our Government Documents LibGuide for more information
GPO Catalog is a database of most of the U.S. government documents available in libraries. Some of them are available electronically.
Congressional Research Service Reports contains some (but not all) of the research requested by members of Congress, covering every area potentially of interest to lawmakers.