Criminal Justice, Law and Government Research Guide

Quick Links: Munday Library Databases | Executive Branch (Web) | Legislative Branch (Web)

Munday Library Databases

While the library’s catalog, SORIN, does offer access to books, journals, articles and videos, there are times when it is more accurate to search for content within the Munday Library’s specialized databases. These links should take you directly to the specific database (if you are off-campus you will need to log in with your St. Edward’s University ID and password). If you have problems connecting, e-mail library@stedwards.edu.

HeinOnline
Database of legal resources, including laws, regulations, some trials and court reports, a variety of other materials covering United States and foreign law. Coverage includes private and public international law, intellectual property and legal history.

Legal Information +
Information on all areas of legal information, including full text articles from law journals, legal reference books, and legal forms. Searches Legal Collection and Legal Information Reference Center.

ICPSR (Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research)
 “Is the world’s largest archive of digital social science data. We acquire, preserve, and distribute original social science research data. ICPSR is a partner in social science research.”

CQ Researcher
Covers health, social trends, criminal justice, international affairs, education, the environment, technology, and the economy. Each single-themed, 12,000-word report is researched and written by a seasoned journalist and provides researchers with an introductory overview; background and chronology on the topic; an assessment of the current situation; tables and maps; pro/con statements from representatives of opposing positions; and bibliographies of key sources

CRS Reports
The Congressional Research Service (CRS), a component of the Library of Congress, conducts research and analysis for Congress on a broad range of issues of national policy. The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) endeavors to provide current, regularly updated public access to as many non-confidential CRS reports as possible.

Data Planet Statistical Datasets
Provides access to statistics produced by U.S. federal agencies, states, private organizations, and major intergovernmental organizations with capabilities to compare & contrast multiple data series, perform statistical calculations on the data, and customize output views.

Statista 
Statista provides access to statistical business data on market researchers, trade organizations, scientific journals, and government databases. Much of the data is related to marketing, demographic, government and industry information.   

Gale eBooks
A database of encyclopedias and specialized reference sources for multidisciplinary research.

CREDO
Background information to start your research.  Searching 2,211,000 full text articles in 798 titles from 113 publishers. 

Proquest Statistical Abstract of the United States
Offers statistics on the social, political, and economic conditions of the United States. Coverage: 1790 to present.

Historical Statistics of the United States
Contains historical statistics on almost all aspects of the U.S., including economics, population, industry, and government. Mainly covers 1790-2000, although some tables have expanded coverage to2003. Also contains explanatory essays on issues such as poverty, labor, education, etc.

Films on Demand (streaming video)

Kanopy (streaming video)

Executive Branch (Web Resources)

University of Texas at Austin U.S. Government Information

The White House
Includes information about the Executive Office of the President, Offices of the Vice President and First Lady and the President’s senior policy advisers.

American Presidency Project
A document archive of over 90,000 records including executive orders, Inaugural Addresses, State of the Union addresses, addresses to Congress, Public Papers of the Presidents, party platforms and candidate remarks, etc. Includes an audio/video archive.

Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents
The official publication of presidential statements, messages, remarks and other material released by the White House Press Secretary. The Weekly Compilation Of Presidential was replaced by the Daily Compilation in 2009 and now contains the archive of this previous source. Both can be accessed from this site.

Government Information
Provides free online access to Government Publications.

Official U.S. Executive Branch Website
Metasite maintained by the Library of Congress with extensive links to executive branch agencies, independent agencies and boards, commissions and committees.

Presidential Oral History
From the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia, this ongoing oral history project covers the presidencies of Reagan, Carter, Bush and Clinton.

Executive Orders Disposition Tables Index
Information about and text of Executive Orders beginning with President Franklin D. Roosevelt and are arranged according to Presidential administration and year of signature.

U.S. Department of State
The official site of the United States Department of State.

Legislative Branch (Web Resources)

Congressional Digest
Reports on pros and cons, background and verbatim arguments of legislation before Congress, each issue dealing with one law under consideration.

University of Texas at Austin U.S. Government Information

U.S. House of Representatives
The U.S. House of Representatives site contains information on representatives, leadership, and legislation.

U.S. Senate
Contains information about senators, committees, legislation, and records.

Congressional Budget Office
Provides objective, nonpartisan, and timely analysis to aid in economic and budgetary decisions on the wide array of programs covered by the federal budget.

Congress.gov
The official website for U.S. federal legislative information.