Resource Guide: Finding Scholarly Sources

📚 Resource Guide: Finding Scholarly Sources for POSC 320

Welcome to your go-to guide for finding high-quality, scholarly sources for your POSC 320 assignments! This resource will help you navigate the world of academic research and ensure you use credible, peer-reviewed materials.

🎯 Why Scholarly Sources Matter

Scholarly sources are essential for:

• Academic Integrity: They uphold the standards of academic honesty and rigor.
• Credibility: They provide reliable, vetted information.
• Depth: They offer in-depth analysis and research findings.
• Academic Rigor: They meet the standards of academic research, which is crucial for your assignments.
• Critical Thinking: They encourage you to engage with complex ideas and debates in public policy.
• Evidence-Based Arguments: They help you build strong, evidence-based arguments in your papers.
• Avoiding Misinformation: They reduce the risk of using biased or unverified information.
• Citing Properly: They provide citable material that adheres to academic standards.
• Enhancing Your Understanding: They deepen your understanding of public policy issues.
• Supporting Your Claims: They back up your claims with solid evidence.
• Engaging with Current Research: They keep you informed about the latest developments in public policy.
• Building Your Research Skills: They help you develop essential research skills for your academic and professional future.

✅ What Counts as a Scholarly Source?

You should use:

• Peer-reviewed journal articles
• Academic books or book chapters
• Research reports from trusted organizations like:
  • Government Accountability Office (GAO)
  • RAND Corporation
  • Brookings Institution
  • Congressional Research Service (CRS)

Avoid over-relying on:

• ❌ News articles
• ❌ Blogs or opinion sites
• ❌ Non-sourced advocacy materials

🧭 Where to Search Like a Pro

🔎 CSUF Library OneSearch

Start here: library.fullerton.edu

Use filters for:

• Peer-reviewed
• Date range (past 10 years)
• Subject area

🔎 Google Scholar

Go to: scholar.google.com

Tips:

• Great for quick access to academic articles
• Use the “Cite” button to grab APA/Chicago citations
• Add site:.gov or site:.org for white papers or reports

🔎 CSUF Research Databases

Use these for strong, reliable sources on public policy topics:

• PAIS Index – Public affairs & policy research
  
• Academic Search Premier – Interdisciplinary articles
  
• JSTOR – Especially good for theory and classics
  
• HeinOnline – Legal documents, government reports
  
• ProQuest Public Policy – White papers and working papers

📚 Journals to Prioritize

If your article comes from one of these, you’re in strong territory.

🏛 Public Policy & Administration

• Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory (JPART)
• Public Administration Review (PAR)
• Policy Studies Journal
• Review of Policy Research
• Governance
• Journal of Policy Analysis and Management (JPAM)
• Administration & Society
• State and Local Government Review

🧭 Political Science with a Policy Lens

• Publius: The Journal of Federalism
• Perspectives on Politics
• Urban Affairs Review
• Political Research Quarterly

🎯 Topical Journals (Depending on Your Issue)

• Health Affairs – health policy
  
• Education Policy Analysis Archives – education
  
• Environmental Politics – climate and sustainability
  
• Policy & Politics – cross-cutting governance

💡 Research Tips

• Use strong keywords like:
  "policy failure", "public management", "implementation", "evaluation", "disparities", "governance"
• Keep your search focused—look for problem-defining articles, not just background
• Save both the PDF and the citation (APA or Chicago preferred)

🤝 Need Help?

• Ask a Librarian (Chat): library.fullerton.edu → Ask a Librarian
• Or reach out to me directly if you hit a wall and need a hand