Index and abstracts information
Sociological Abstracts (a Cambridge Scientific Abstracts database) now has records going back to 1952 (previously to 1963). In addition, the database offers links to scholars doing research in particular fields of sociology. For instance, a search on "gender" would not only offer citations to journal articles on that topic, but links to scholars doing research in that area. These links provide the researcher's address, links to their publications, and other pertinent information. This can be extremely useful to students, especially graduate students that might need to know what other researchers in their profession are publishing and where those with similar interests might be located.
Cambridge Scientific also offers a unique set of "discovery guides". These can be accessed through the various Cambridge databases that Iowa State University offers:
CSA Technology Research Database
Linguistics and Language Behavior Abstracts
After choosing any of these databases, just click on the small "question mark" next to the database name. A tab along the top labeled "Discovery Guides" will take you to a page that offers lengthy articles on such topics as:
God, Humanity, and Nature
Genetically Modified Foods
Tsunamis and the International Response
Defining Sustainability, Defining the Future
Tracking Down the Footprints of Bipolar Disorder
A Brief History of Copper
Each article is footnoted with links to pertinent websites and glossary, and to be added in 2006, a link to any pertinent conferences concerning the topic.
Another new database is PILOTS Database - "an electronic index to the traumatic stress literature". This also can be accessed through the list of "indexes and abstracts" from the e-Library home page. The National Center for PTSD produces this database which is updated bimonthly. Special topics include Active Duty Military, Community Violence, Disasters, and Sexual Assault. The database is searchable by clicking on the "search PILOTS" link with over 28,000 records available for searching. There are also "fact sheets" available giving information about frequently asked questions (for veterans), coping with PTSD, associated problems, and the different effects of trauma, among other items.