LibGuides: Research Methods for Social Work: Find Websites

Other Online Guides

Like this guide? You might also find the following guides useful (keep in mind that these guides are not APU-specific):

Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper
Dr. Robert V. Labaree (USC Libraries)
Social Work Research Guide
Sue Wortman (University of Michigan Library)

Tools for Social Work Blog

Research Methods Websites

Hover your mouse over the links for website descriptions.

Web Center for Social Research Methods
Includes lots of resources and links to other locations on the Web that deal in applied social research methods.
Family Research Quantitative Methods
This is a blog described as "a place to exchange resources on quantitative research methods, particularly methods related to family research."
Social Work Policy Institute: Evidence-Based Practice Resources
Provides tools that can be used to identify EBPs, online resources that can inform the EBP process and a list of publications for further information.

Statistical Websites

Hover your mouse over the info icons for website descriptions.

California Statistical Abstract A compilation of data on social, economic, and physical aspects of California
CSU Long Beach Library: Social Work - Sources of Statistics This is an excellent list of online statistical sources in the following areas: Crime, Family/Children, Demographics, Health, Economics & Budgets, Opinion Poll Data, Education, Social Services, and Ethnic Groups
CSU Northridge Oviatt Library: L.A. City/County Statistics & Facts Includes statistics in the following areas: Economic/Demographic, Crime, Environment, Education, and Health
FedStats Provides access to the full range of official statistical information produced by the Federal Government for more than 100 agencies.
HealthyCity HealthyCity.org is an online community service and policy research tool for all of Los Angeles County. Healthy City provides access to a large database of community resources and localized demographic and health data on a GIS mapping platform.
Journalist's Resource: Major Administrative Datasets of the U.S. Government Links to "vital statistics on health, transportation, commerce, finance, agriculture, and more." Much of this information is gathered by 13 of the major statistical agencies, but many smaller organizations are also listed.
Statistical Abstracts of the United States Summarizes federal census statistics
U.S. Census Bureau: American FactFinder American population, housing, economic, and geographic data.
U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services: Poverty Guidelines, Research & Measurement A good collection of links that provide various types of information about poverty in the U.S.

Policy Websites

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California Department of Social Services: Children & Family Services The Division`s Services include assistance in Adoptions, Foster Care, Children's Services and Child Welfare.
California Department of Social Services: Policy/Planning Includes the following policy/planning sections: Financial, Child Welfare Policy, Program Planning, Program Statistics/Data, CWS Improvements, and Contracts/Procurement
Child & Family Policy Institute of California The purpose of the CFPIC is to “advance the development of sound public policy and promote program excellence in county Human Services Agencies through research, education, training and technical assistance.”
Child Welfare League of America: Advocacy This site includes information on legislation and issues of interest to CWLA members.
Official California Legislative Information Look up California bills and laws.
PolicyArchive PolicyArchive is a comprehensive digital library of public policy research containing over 22,000 documents.
Public Agenda Public Agenda is a New York-based nonprofit that does opinion surveys on a range of issues, from education to foreign policy to immigration to religion and civility in American life. The site includes facts and figures, different perspectives and analysis
THOMAS THOMAS contains a wealth of legislative information from the Library of Congress, including bills, resolutions and other activity in Congress. Users can search the text of legislation by word/phrase or bill number.
U.S. Government Accountability Office: Topic Collections Topic collections include reports and testimonies.

Evaluating Websites

There are several excellent resources on the Internet that will aid you in your assignments. In the boxes on this page, you'll find some recommended websites. This is not an exhaustive list by any means - you may find several other relevant sites. However, be sure to evaluate what you find for not only relevancy, but also authority and quality. Take a look at the handout below for tips on evaluating websites.

Evaluating Web Pages