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Political Science Resources for Undergraduate Students:
United States National Government
Bailey Berardino
ILS 616: Social Science Literature and Sources
Spring 2013
Dr. Yan Quan Liu
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Berardino: Political Science Resources
Study Paper
Introduction
Political Science in it broadest sense, “refers to thinking about politics at any level of
conception and articulation” (Freeden, 2004, p. 3). All political thought is part of political study,
however there is little consensus on how to define the subject. In 2000, Li attempted to define it
as follows:
Political science, the study of politics, is concerned with the organization of human
beings in to the state. The study of politics may focus on power, institutions, policy
process, functions, ideologies and movements, international relations, or political
behavior. (p. 351)
According to the American Political Science Association, “Political scientists use both
humanistic and scientific perspectives and tools and a variety of methodological approaches to
examine the process, systems, and political dynamics of all countries and regions of the world”
(“What is Political Science,” 2013, para. 1).
History
The study of political science itself is a relatively new discipline. However, politics and
the governance of humans has existed and been studied since the start of human civilization.
The discipline of political science is born out of other social science disciplines (Chener, 2002).
The first study of political thought is believed to have started in ancient Greece. Thinkers and
philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle discussed enduring questions about topics such as:
war/peace, dictatorship/democracy, wealth/poverty, and values. These ensuring themes and
questions are still an essential part of political science (Kurian, “Introduction,” 2011, para.8).
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Political Science was originally studied as a part of other disciplines such as history,
economic, law, sociology and phycology. “Political history was first challenged by social
historians who refocused attention on economic power, class relationships, group formation and
demographic trends” (Orren & Skowronek, 2002, p.722). Over time scholars moved away from
merely looking at events in history, to studying how governments change over time. There was
an interest in how the dynamics of past governance may affect present governances (Orren &
Skowronek, 2002).
Over time political science formed into its own discipline, however it is still characterized
by diversity in interpretations, subfields, and methods of research and teaching. In 1903 the
American Political Science Association (APSA) was formed. Soon after, political science
departments began forming in colleges and universities. There was, and still is, a predominance
of Americans in the field, focusing research on US politics. This bias is still visible today.
However, researchers have been expanding to use of more non-US sources (Chener, 2002).
Looking at the history of political science in the United Stated in the 21st century, there
are three distinct research approaches that can be observed. The first is traditionalism, the study
of political phenomena by looking at law, history and or institutions such as the government or
its bodies. The second is behaviorism, which focuses more on the political actors and their
behavior. It includes the study of questions through hypothesis formation and empirical,
quantitative research. The third approach is post-behaviorism. This emphasizes that political
science research should be meaningful, focused on more urgent political problems. It also claims
that political science shouldn’t use strict application of the scientific methods of the natural
science (Kurian, “Introduction,” 2011).
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Political Scientists in America are very divergent in their views about pedagogy and
research. Their “image of long-running debate captures well the dynamic of our discipline as a
continuing process of inquiry engaged with understanding of fundamental political issues”
(Katzenlson & Milner, 2002, p. 2). The discipline is characterized by a wide variety of
questions, and methods, many times borrowing from other disciplines. While methodologically
diverse, it remains focused “on a particular understanding of how to study the modern state and
liberal democracy” (Katzenlson & Milner, 2002, p. 28).
Fields of Specialization
There are a number of subfields within the discipline of Political Science. These are
sometimes disputed as well, but the following is a general list from Chener (2002).

Political History

National Governments

Comparative Politics

International Politics

Political Theory

Public Law

Public Administration

Public Policy Analysis
Information Needs
As stated earlier, the information needs of those studying political science can be very
diverse, as is the nature of the profession. The study of political science covers a very large range
of topics and resources. “It lacks a clear definition and delineation of the subject from other
social science, and the range of materials covered in the field is very large” (Chener, 2002, p.
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47). To clearly understand the information needs of studying political science, it is important to
know resources available for all the social sciences, as well as the wide variety of specifically
political science sources. Political science questions can range from current events all the way to
analysis of political theory.
For information related to current events, many political scientists will use national
newspapers such as the New York Times or the Washington Post. There are also many journals
focused on political science, which are helpful to both students and professionals in the field.
Political Science offers a number of dictionaries and handbooks that are useful to students and
those who are new to the field to use as a starting point. The American Political Science
Association also is a valuable resource. Political science also borrows materials from other
disciplines; including law, history, economic, even sociology and psychology.
Data and statistics are also very important to those doing research in the field. This data
can come from many sources. Political, issue related or non-profit organizations often supply
access to useful information. The American government has an incredible wealth of publically
available information, data and statistics. This information is accessible at federal or state
depositories, which are local libraries that houses government documents and publications. Now
most of this information is also available online. Census materials are available online, as are the
American Government Printing Office and the National Archives.
In general, most sources in Political Science can be divided into two categories: primary
and secondary sources. Most of the primary, or first-hand, sources come from research,
government bodies or other organizations. Secondary sources study and analyze these primary
sources. These include monographs, serials and books (Chener, 2002). Most students and
specialist will use some combination of these.
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To understand political science, one must have a basic knowledge of current event, both
national and abroad. You must also have a clear understanding of American history and the
structure of the US government. Knowledge of international organizations such as the United
Nation is also important. Lastly, working knowledge of government document collections and
government publications is essential (Chener, 2002, p. 50).
Interview
I conducted an interview of Erhard Konerding, who is the government docs librarian at
Wesleyan University in Connecticut (personal communication, March 15, 2013). Mr. Konerding
has been at this job for the last forty years. He is a reference librarian also, specializing in
political science and history. His job includes mostly reference help, both general and in his
specialties. He also is responsible for book selection and being a faculty liaison for his subjects.
As the government doc librarian he is responsible for the organization of, and having a working
knowledge of, the government collections and publications.
As a depository, Wesleyan received about 30% of the documents created by the
government. All libraries that are depositories get most of the same materials, sometimes slightly
tailored to their patron group. In the past, many outsiders used the paper documents for practical
uses, such as tax forms. Now Mr. Konerding says that only a fraction of the government
documents are in paper form, most are available digitally. Pamphlets created by the government
have almost vanished. They are getting much fewer patrons from outside the university because
most of the materials are available online. However he still assists students in research that
involves government documents.
Mr. Konerding and the other library staff have been advocates for personal research
sessions with students for more in-depth one-on-one assistance. He says that when helping
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students in political science, he has them start by looking at the larger topic in secondary sources.
He says the topic encyclopedias, dictionaries and handbooks help students get a better
understanding of the topic as a whole, especially if they are new to the field. Then he has them
use the bibliographies to find the primary sources that will be the best resource for them. Mr.
Konerding said that starting with a primary source, such as a congressional hearing, might
overwhelm and confuse students. That is why he encourages them to start with a strong base
knowledge. He says he often has repeat customers as students get more in-depth into their
research (E. Konerding, personal communication, March 15, 2013).
Pathfinder: Mission Statement
The attached pathfinder is intended for the use of undergraduate students in political
science at Southern Connecticut State University with a focus on the American national
government. However, the site may also be useful to graduate students or students from other
universities as well. The sources included range from introductory materials, such as handbooks
and dictionaries, to primary source materials. There are also resources for researching and
writing in political science. It includes both print and online materials. Some sources require a
subscription, available for students through SCSU. All print resources are currently available at
Southern.
Access pathfinder by link below
https://uspoliticalscienceresources.wikispaces.com/home
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References
American Political Science Association. (2013). What is political science? American Political
Science Association. Retrieved from http://www.apsanet.org/content_9181.cfm
Kurian, G.T. (Ed.). (2011). Introduction. In The Encyclopedia of political science. Washington,
DC: CQ Press. http://0-library.cqpress.com.www.consuls.org/teps/encyps-intro
Chener, D. (2002). Political science. In N.L. Herron (Ed.), The Social sciences: A crossdisciplinary guide to selected sources, (3rd ed.), (pp. 47-92). Greenwood Village, CO:
Libraries Unlimited.
Freeden, M. (2004). Ideology, political theory, and political philosophy. In I. Katzenlson and
H.V. Milner (Eds.), Handbook of political theory (pp. 3-17). London: Sage Publishing.
Katzenlson, I. & Milner, H.V. (2002). Political science: State of the discipline. New York: W.W.
Norton.
Li, T. (2000). Social science reference sources: A practical guide, (3rd ed). Westport, CT:
Greenwood Press.
Orren, K. & Skowronek, S. (2002). The study of American political development. In I.
Katzenlson, & H.V. Milner (Eds.) Political science: State of the discipline (pp. 722-754).
New York: W.W. Norton.