Skip to Main Content

Sociology Research Guide

Tips for searching the Web

Most free websites will not provide current, peer reviewed research studies.  However, there are great primary sources, especially educational statistics, available, as well as many non-profit/ policy/ think-tank papers.  Generally, you should use library databases to find your articles, and the web to supplement your arguments with statistics, demographic information, and reports.

Things to keep in mind when searching the web:

  • Generally, URLs that end in  .gov, .edu, .org sites tend to be the most credible 

You can limit your google search to a particular domain name by entering your search terms followed by a colon and the domain    ex. substance abuse:.gov

  • Use websites only when appropriate and question their credibility

 

Search for Non-Profits

Suggested Websites for the Topic of the Environment

Suggested Websites for the Topic of Gender

Suggested websites to research on gender studies:

Suggested Websites for the Topic of Ethnicity

Suggested Websites for the Topic of Economics

Suggested websites for global comparisons

 "Full profiles provide an instant guide to history, politics and economic background of countries and territories, and background on key institutions."

Provides information and links on culture, geography, and other facts on countries around the world. 

OECD has been a valuable source of policy analysis and internationally comparable statistical, economic and social data.

Data on this site is from The United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). "The numerous databases, tables and glossaries containing over 60 million data points cover a wide range of themes including Agriculture, Crime, Education, Employment, Energy, Environment, Health, HIV/AIDS, Human Development, Industry, Information and Communication Technology, National Accounts, Population, Refugees, Tourism, Trade, as well as the Millennium Development Goals indicators."