the subject catalogue, trying to think of related terms (‘Socialism’ as
well as ‘Labour Party’, ‘Soviet Union’ as well as ‘Russia’, etc.).
Consider also the possibility of using the Reference shelves. Much
valuable material can be found in sources like the Encyclopaedia of
Social Sciences, Kogan and Hawkesworth (1992), and various
specialised dictionaries especially McLean and McMillan (2003) and
Jay (2006). Most useful statistical sources will probably also be in the
reference section including many published by the Office for
National Statistics.
An important part of the reference section will be a collection of
specialised bibliographies, which will give you further ideas for books
and journals to look for – for example Royal Commission on
Historical Monuments (1982); Shaw and Sklar (1977).NEWSPAPERS
Much valuable and (especially) recent material is to be found in
newspapers and magazines. The problem is to find it. When, for
instance, did the last election in France take place? If you do not
know, you cannot easily find reports on it in quality daily newspapers
such as The Times, theGuardian, The New York Timesor Le Monde.
Keesings Contemporary Archivesis a valuable and clearly indexed
summary of contemporary events which can help you with this as
well as providing much useful information in its own right. Several
newspapers such as The Timesalso print quarterly or annual indexes.
(See also below for electronic versions/searching.)JOURNALS
University libraries also contain extensive collections of (usually
quarterly) academic and professional journals. They often cover the
points you are looking for in a pithier and more up-to-date fashion
than do textbooks. Key British academic journals include Talking
Politics, Political Studies, Politics, Political Quarterlyand the British
Journal of Political Science. Other important journals include the
American Political Science Reviewand the Revue Français de Science
Politique. In addition to articles, these journals usually carry very
useful book reviews – excellent for supplying telling critical points
about books recommended by your tutor. The greatest volume of242 APPENDIX: SOURCES ON POLITICS