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Library Instruction for Liberal Arts |
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Professional StudiesSOWK 4873
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| General Information for Students | Resources - Books, catalogs and databases |
Search Tips |
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| Following APA style rules |
Due 29 April 2008:
Your final paper is to be a minimum of 6 pages of typed APA style text with a maximum of 8 pages (failure to use APA style will result in automatic deduction of points). The paper must have a minimum of 5 references. You may use your text as one of the five required references; at least 2 references must be scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles. Please see your instructor with any questions about the validity of any of your references. Your paper must contain a minimum of 8 citations within the text. Keep in mind that failure to properly cite the source of your information within your text is plagiarism, a form of academic misconduct which may result in serious consequences in this class and your academic career. For your topic, select an organization (e.g. agency, community program, civic group, etc.). You must then:
1. Identify the structures and summarize the subject of the paper (this should include the subject's mission statement, goals, summary of their general organizational structure, etc.). (~1 to 1.5 pages). 75 points.
2. Discuss, in detail, the organizational culture, organizational structure (lines of authority, channels of communication, dimensions of power, etc.), methods of management and value discrepancies of your system. (~1 to 3 pages). 100 points.
3. Identify three organizational theories (including theories of management) which apply to your organization and analyze how the theories apply. (~1 to 3 pages). 100 points.
4. Offer your critique as to how effective this organization is in meeting its mission and general operations. Propose possible improvements to the organization that you think may make it more successful in meeting its mission or improving its function along with your reasoning as to why your proposals may improve the functioning of the organization. (~1 to 2 pages). 75 points.
***Note***
As sections 1 through 3 will entail your discussion of material that you have learned and not material that you are the originator of, these sections will require frequent citations to your references. Only in section 4 are you allowed to give your own opinions which do not require citations to references. However, even in section 4, references may be required to be cited should you refer to any information that you have read elsewhere (which you most likely will!).
Presentation of Term Paper on either 29 April or 6 May (possibly also on 24 April, depending on class size).
Summarize (do not just read your paper aloud) your paper in 5 to 10 minutes. You may use power points or handouts for your oral presentation.
Search the NSU Libraries' Online Catalog
Examples of subject headings used in the catalog: social service, social work administration, social policy, public welfare, school social work, social case work, social work education, social work research, etc.
You can search the online catalog to find anything from books to periodicals, newspapers, reference works, and microfilm. Also, using the catalog gives you access to Ebrary and Net Library, NSU's resources for e-books.
Academic Search Premier - This is a general database, which means it contains article citations and full text articles covering many academic subjects. It is one of the twenty-five databases produced by EbscoHost for which NSU has a subscription. It is probably our most widely used database and is sometimes referred to simply as "Ebsco."
PsycARTICLES- a definitive source of searchable full-text, peer-reviewed scholarly and scientific articles in psychology. The database contains more than 40,000 articles from 53 journals - 45 published by the American Psychological Association (APA) and 8 from allied organizations. It includes all journal articles, letters to the editor and errata from each journal. Coverage spans 1985 to present.
PsycINFO - PsycINFO, from the American Psychological Association (APA), contains more than 2 million citations and summaries of scholarly journal articles, book chapters, books, and dissertations, all in psychology and related disciplines, dating as far back as the 1800s. 97 percent of the covered material is peer-reviewed. Journal coverage, which spans 1887 to present, includes international material selected from nearly 2,000 periodicals in more than 25 languages. Contains a thesaurus.
Wilson Social Sciences Full text - WilsonWeb, the HW Wilson Information Retrieval System for the Internet, is a comprehensive search tool that simplifies access to information stored in databases. You can enter searches as single terms, phrases, or complex Boolean search strings, then display the retrieved records, and print, save, or email the results. You can browse lists of terms and use the Thesaurus to search for concepts. In addition, you can customize the display of results and refine your search by combining or extending searches.
Foundation Directory Online: The Foundation Directory Online is your resource for information concerning nonprofit information. However, this resource is password protected, and you will need to contact a reference librarian in order to obtain access to this database. The information provided by the Foundation Directory includes 990s, background, purpose, activities, and fields of interest.
ABI/Inform: includes details on virtually every aspect of global business, including company histories, competitive intelligence, and new product development. ABI/INFORM contains bibliographic citations and 25-150 word summaries of articles appearing in professional publications, academic journals, and trade magazines published worldwide.
NSU List of Business Databases: Business databases at NSU, classed by subject.
United States Department of Justice: Searching the DOJ for the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) will lead you to a list of governmental departments that publish their information online. The FOIA requires that all governmental agencies release their information when queried by the public. The information in their reports include mission statements, goals, and organizational charts.
Guidestar.org: Guidestar is an online resource that requires that you register in order to gain access to information about nonprofit organizations nation wide. The sorts of information you can find using this web site include the original web site of the organization, 990s, contact information, classification as a charity or other type of organization, NTEE codes, mission and program information. If you do not wish you register- please make an appointment to search this site with me.
United States Government Manual: As the official handbook of the Federal Government, the United States Government Manual provides comprehensive information on the agencies of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. A search of this website will provide you with information pertaining to the personnel organization of government departments.
Government Information at NSU: This website was created by NSU's own Susan Woitte, the Gov Docs librarian. You can find helpful links to useful government websites, as well as numerous statistical resources.
Drucker, Peter F. (1990). Managing the non-profit organization: practices and principles. New York: NY: HarperCollins.
Glaeser, Edward L. (2003). The Governance of not-for-profit organizations. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Oleck, Howard L. (1956). Non-profit corporations and associations: organization, management, and dissolution. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Palmer, Paul. (2002). Financial management in the voluntary sector: new challenges. New York: Routledge.
Sternberg, Nick. (2000). Organization charts: structures of 230 businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organization. Detroit: Gale Research.
1. Thinking about common synonyms for your search terms is a good strategy. Often, there will be a thesaurus provided by the vendor you are using that will provide words found within that database. This will help you identify terms used in their identification of articles.
2. Using a databases "help" menu will provide you with valuable information concerning that database. Often, it will include searching tips, explanations, and several other useful items to help you with your needs. Even librarians check these in order to greatly reduce the stress of a search.
3. Take advantage of the following sources of help:
Of the tutorials, one that may be especially helpful is the tutorial on "E-Journals."
- The Reference Desk is located on the first floor of the John Vaughan Library. Friendly reference librarians staff the desk from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday. Please feel free to stop by and ask for research advice.
- Department of Professional Studies Resource Coordinator: Emily Brown ex. 3298
Feel free to email me with a question or to schedule a one-on-one reference session.
NEW: Also, if you are a subscriber to AIM, Yahoo!, or MSN, you can IM me with reference questions Monday and Tuesday 9-5, Thursday 9-5, Friday, 9 - 3 at the user name nsuemilybrown.
The American Psychological Association originally created a publication manual to provide a common structure for all journal manuscripts in the area of the social sciences.
Many other disciplines (including psychology, the behavioral sciences, nursing, personnel administration and many areas within education) have adopted this as their professional writing standard as well.
In an academic environment, you will often be expected to conform to this standard when writing. At this point, you should be mostly concerned with creating an accurate reference list using proper format and providing citations within the text to give credit for an idea or concept to the source from which you got it.
Print:
Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). (2001). Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.
The library owns several copies of the style guide; however, only the 4th edition circulates (can be checked out). There are five copies of the 5th edition in reference and one on reserve. (
Websites:
Using APA format (Purdue University) - this comprehensive guide summarizes the print version of the book. Click on Your Reference List to find examples of the proper format to use when listing sources you used.
Long Island University's Citation Style Guide
APA Style.org's Frequently Asked Questions
Page Updated on: 10 January 2008
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