Academic articles contain original research on a narrow topic. They are usually peer-reviewed and are published in scholarly journals.
To find articles on your topic, use keywords to search in one of the databases listed below. For additional help, check out our tutorial on finding scholarly / peer-reviewed articles.
If the article you want isn't available in full text you can request it for free from Interlibrary Loan.
A large multi-subject database covering every topic with scholarly journals and popular magazines.
Access provided by KYVL.
Contains social science research data files for use with statistical software, such as SAS or SPSS. Users must create an individual account to access data. Getting Started Using ICPSR (WKU Guide)
Provides access to full-text news, business, legal publications, and national and regional newspapers.
Indexes doctoral dissertations and master's theses from North American and European universities from 1861 to the present.
Contains in-depth, non-biased pro/con coverage of political and social issues.
Contains legal journals and resources including the Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, U.S. Statutes at Large, and the Congressional Record (1873 to present). Full contents.
Background information gives you a general overview of a topic and is a great way to find keywords and learn basic concepts. You can use Wikipedia or one of the encyclopedias listed below.
Scholarly books are much longer than articles, and they provide more depth and context. You can find physical books or e-books using the search box below. Try searching by subject, keyword, author, or title.
If you would like to browse the library's collection of physical books, the main call number for Political Science is J. Many useful books may be found in other subject areas (i.e., history or law).