Research Guides: SOWK 517: Social Policy (BMC): Home

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Need a refresher on the federal legislative process? See ProQuest Congressional's How a bill becomes a law.

Congressional Quarterly (CQ) Researcher
Start here. Provides summaries and analysis on current issues in the news. In-depth reports on social issues include timelines of legislative milestones and pro/con arguments from legal experts. 1991 - present.

Congressional Quarterly (CQ) Almanac
Reports and analysis from CQ are reinterpreted to provide thematic treatment of issues and events during the legislative year. Very useful for understanding the bigger picture involving policy and political strategies.

Historic Documents
Covers the most significant events of the year, including presidential speeches, international agreements, Supreme Court decisions, U.S. governmental reports, scientific findings, and cultural discussions. Documents are preceded by introductory material to provide historical and intellectual context. Documents may be searched by full-text keyword, title, and topic, and a cumulative index is provided.
Encyclopedia of Social Work
A searchable resource containing overview articles on key topics from international issues to ethical standards and their implications for social work practice, biographies on key figures, and references and links to related social work resources.

Tripod Books
Look for books or documentaries that provide histories and analysis on your topic. Remember, you don't have to read the entire book for it to be useful.

Worldcat.org This link opens in a new window
Search for books beyond the Tri-Co Libraries and use EZ-Borrow to request them.

Wikipedia
A great source for background information as well as context and controversies surrounding a social policy. Also provides mini legislative histories of bills or laws. Use the articles' bibliographies to find credible sources.

PolicyFile
Use this database to find policy papers by advocacy groups on social topics of interest and proposed legislation.

American Policy Directory
Find analysis and advocacy from all perspectives on US national public policy.

Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC)
Comprehensive database of education research, including journal articles, books, reports, and other sources.
Also freely available through www.eric.ed.gov.
JSTOR
Provides full-text and page images from many of the top journals in most academic disciplines. Coverage is from the inception of the journal through three to five years ago.
Public Affairs Information Service (PAIS) Index
Provides abstracts of journal articles, books, government documents, statistical compilations, committee reports, intergovernmental, and private organizations reports. Areas covered include political, economic, social and public policy issues. Covers 1915-present.
Sociological Abstracts
Find journal articles, books, book chapters, dissertations and conference papers in the fields of sociology, social work and related disciplines as far back as 1963. Includes Social Services Abstracts journals.

Congressional Quarterly (CQ) Magazine
Formerly known as "CQ Weekly" this magazine provides full-text news and analysis on all U.S. federal legislative activity and related political issues. Includes floor votes, bill status, analysis, and more. Covers 1983-present.

National Journal
This weekly journal covers the activities of Congress and the executive branch concerning all areas of U.S. foreign and domestic policy. The web site also includes directories, reports, poll information, and other features.

The Economist
Respected weekly magazine with news coverage of financial, business and policy matters.

New York Times
Unlimited access to the NYTImes online is available via academic passes provided by Bryn Mawr. Archival access back to 1851 and advanced full-text searching is available via ProQuest Historical Newspapers.

Newsweek
Newsweek is a news magazine that provides in-depth analysis, news and opinion about international issues, technology, business, culture and politics. Also available in print and microfilm back to 1933.

Philadelphia Inquirer
The daily newspaper of record for the Philadelphia region. Online coverage 1860 to the present.
Time Magazine
Time Magazine is the first weekly news magazine in the United States. Coverage - 1923 to the present.

The Wall Street Journal (Online)
Business-focused daily newspaper. Editorials tend to take a more conservative stance. Information about accessing WSJ.com can be found here.
Washington Post
Contains nearly all articles that have appeared in the Washington Post since 1877.

Nexis Uni
Formerly LexisNexis, find newspaper and magazine articles, news transcripts, reference works, and legal materials, including Supreme Court cases. Includes the New York Times from 1980-present.
ProQuest News & Newspapers
Search for archival articles from American mainstream and minority newspapers and other periodicals.