Start Searching
Social Work Abstracts This link opens in a new windowStart with this database, and add others that relate to your topic by clicking on the Choose Databases link near the top of the page.
Encyclopedia of Social Work This link opens in a new windowA collaboration between the National Association of Social Workers (NASW Press) and Oxford University Press (OUP), the encyclopedia provides overview of topics from a social work perspective, including statistics and interventions. These entries don't count as peer-reviewed journal articles but they can point you to some and provide ideas for how to search for more.
Widen Your Search/Find an Article From a Citation
The Library Search box and Google Scholar both search a wide array of resources, from many different disciplines. They are also useful to locate the full text of specific citations from an article you already have - put in the article's title, and hit search!
Set up to access WCU resources on Google Scholar by:
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Click on the menu (
) in the upper left on the Google Scholar homepage.
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Choose Settings (
)from the menu that appears.
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Clicking on Library Links from the left menu.
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Searching for West Chester University, then clicking on the box next to the result that says West Chester University Libraries-- Find-It @WCU, and hit save.
After you have done this, look for links that say either Find-It @ WCU or Check Availability @ WCU, to see if full text is available through WCU.
Have a Strategy to Keep Track of Your Sources
Pick a strategy you are comfortable with!
Try using your folder in the EBSCO databases or saving to Google Drive (unlimited storage when using your WCUPA account!).
Or try one of these citation managers:
ZoteroFree, available after graduation, Word plug-in.
MendeleyFree, available after graduation, group project friendly, Word plug-in, can be used to annotate and comment on PDF files.
EndNoteFree while you are a WCU student, group project friendly, Word plug-in, guide with how-to videos available.
)from the menu that appears.