Elevate your research with the top databases, journals, and information resources used by social science researchers worldwide.
For the past sixteen years, Project Information Literacy (PIL) has surveyed the research practices of college students around the United States. Here are a few key insights from their findings:
The social science fields below are ranked by the total number of bachelor’s, master's, and doctoral degrees awarded in the United States during the 2024–25 academic year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
As research becomes more specialized, resources can differ substantially. Economists rely on statistical datasets. Political scientists regularly use government documents and polling data. Psychologists depend on PsycINFO and empirical studies. However, all social science researchers use library resources to locate scholarly databases, academic journals, books, reference works, and data to find relevant information.
Our guides and tutorials help you find the best resources:
Things you should know about using your library's resources.
Research guides listing the best academic resources in your discipline.
Easy to follow tutorials that help you improve your research skills.
Regardless of your college or university, you should always check your school’s library website for guides that list research databases in your subject area. Research guides are the most important resource for locating a school’s electronic research databases. Below, you can browse the list of main social science research guides or view all guides.
The scientific study of mankind, our ancestors, what makes us human, and societies in the past and present.
The study of how people create, share, and interpret messages across various contexts, and media.
The scientific study of the root causes crime, criminal behavior, and the societal responses to criminal activity.
The study of conflict and cooperation in world affairs and the relationships between sovereign states.
The study of power, the state, institutions, and how governments maintain peace and order.
The study of the mind and the examination of the relationships between brain function and behavior.
The How-to Tutorials section is designed to give you clear, step-by-step guidance for completing common academic and research tasks. These tutorials break down complex processes into simple, practical actions you can follow with confidence.
