Library Resources: Social Work Research Guide (a.k.a. your new best friend)
By Margie Ruppel, Social Sciences Librarian
This is Margie Ruppel, your new best friend. 
Margie is the UK Librarian for the College of Social Work, and she will be an invaluable resource during your DSW journey.
“Talking to a librarian who specializes in your discipline can completely change the outcome of your research project. They work day in and day out to help students find all of the sources on a topic, sometimes using alternative keywords and search engines, which provides an important foundation for you to build on.”
For more in-depth questions, feel free to contact her directly at margie.ruppel@uky.edu or schedule a one-on-one consultation to be held on Zoom or in person. Margie can help you with developing search strategies, finding what you really need, annoying research problems, purchase recommendations and much more.
Margie works with a team of talented social work librarians. Feel free to email your question to the entire Social Sciences Team if your topic overlaps with other social science disciplines: email socialsciences@l.uky.edu. In addition, feel free to contact a different librarian or subject team if you have a topic other than social work. Here is a list of all UK librarians by subject.
In the meantime, you can find a lot of valuable information and resources by visiting the Social Work Research Guide page on the UK Libraries website. UK librarians create research guides for every discipline. The Social Work Research Guide provides quick links to databases and how-to information related to social work research. The site is replete with tips and resources that will make finding literature on any topic a breeze. You can also find guides on how to read social science journal articles, strategies for how to read an academic journal, and links to other guides on topics related to social work, such as social justice, food insecurity, psychiatry, psychology, mental health, and much more. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the website during your first few weeks in the program. You will be glad you did!
Note about access: Log in to UK Library databases with a current LINKBLUE login and Duo Security two-factor authentication.
- Social Work Abstracts, PsycINFO, and Web of Science Core Collection, for finding scholarly journal articles.
- Resources for finding statistics, datasets, tests and measures, and policy/legal research
- InfoKat Discovery – for finding eBooks and any other resources UK Libraries own
- How to read a journal article
- Getting started on your systematic literature review
- Publishing in social work journals – getting started
- Additional databases such as Social Services Abstracts, Sociological Abstracts, SAGE Research Methods, and PubMed
- Getting Started with EndNote Online
- Email Margie Ruppel or schedule a one-on-one research consultation
Additional relevant guides:
- Systematic Reviews in Social Work guide
- Psychology Research Guide
- Sociology Research Guide
- Education Research Guide
Popular eBooks
- DSM-5-TR
- Social Work Speaks: National Association of Social Workers Policy Statements, 2021-2023 (check InfoKat Discovery for link to newer edition, 2024-2027, 13th edition)
- Encyclopedia of Social Work
- Mental Measurements Yearbook
- Oxford Reference, including Oxford Clinical Psychology eBook manuals– evidence-based cognitive-behavioral treatment programs
