Background Research
OneSearch, Google Scholar, and subject specific encyclopedias are good starting points for testing your topic and learning more about the terminology used in your discipline.
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OneSearchWestern Libraries online catalog of books, e-books, videos, articles, digital media, and more.
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Google ScholarA tool to conduct a broad search for scholarly literature, including peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, preprints, abstracts, patents, and technical reports.
Tip:Use Google Scholar to see how often a publication has been cited and connect to WWU subscriptions off campus. How do I connect Google Scholar to library subscriptions from off campus?
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The SAGE Dictionary of Leisure Studies by Call Number: ebookISBN: 9781412919968Publication Date: 2009-10-02What is Leisure Studies? Who are the key figures in the field? How can we evaluate the relevance of concepts in the field? This full length Dictionary of Leisure Studies, examines key concepts, assesses the work of central figures, and helps students zero-in on essential issues and conceptual distinctions. -
Encyclopedia of Play in Today′s Society by Call Number: ebookISBN: 9781412966702Publication Date: 4/2/2009Explores the concept of play in history and modern society in the United States and internationally. Its scope encompasses leisure and recreation activities of children as well as adults throughout the ages, from dice games in the Roman empire to video games today. As an academic social history, it includes the perspectives of several curricular disciplines, from sociology to child psychology, from lifestyle history to social epidemiology.
Recreation Databases
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SPORTDiscus [EBSCO]A database of citations and abstracts to sports literature, including sports medicine, exercise physiology, sport and biomechanics, sport psychology, training, coaching, and related topics. Coverage begins in 1800.
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CINAHL Complete [EBSCO]A database of nursing and health journals. Provides full-text access for more than 1,300 journals, and indexes more than 5,000 additional journals.
Tip:Use the CINAHL heading search to find the best terms to locate sources. -
ERIC [EBSCO]The world's largest database of education research. Includes bibliographic entries, full-text articles, and a thesaurus of education-related terminology that is used to tag entries in the database.
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Business Source Complete [EBSCO]A database covering business and economics. Materials available include trade journal articles, scholarly articles, company reports/SWOT analysis, industry reports, country reports, and more.
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PsycINFO [EBSCO]A database of abstracts for the international literature in psychology and related disciplines such as sociology, education, consumer behavior, linguistics, medicine, law, psychiatry, and anthropology. Coverage from 1840 to the present.
Tip:This database is very powerful for conducting precise searches when using search limiters.
Peer-Reviewed Journals
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Activities, Adaptation, & AgingCase studies, program evaluations, research and theory for activities directors and coordinators in nursing homes and community centers, as well as other professionals concerned with the enhancement of the lifestyles of the aged
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American Journal of Recreation TherapyProvides Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS) with the techniques and advances in the use of recreational intervention to improve their client's health and well-being.
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Annals of Leisure ResearchArticles cover any topic within the broad area of leisure studies, including recreation, tourism, hospitality, the arts, outdoor recreation, events, entertainment, sport, culture and play
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Annals of Tourism ResearchA forum for academic perspectives on tourism
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Human Dimensions of WildlifeDiscussion of topics related to the human component of key wildlife management issues, including empirical findings about the utility of human dimensions information in wildlife decision making.
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Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor LearningPromotes dialogue, research, thinking, teaching and practice from critical perspectives in the fields of adventure education and outdoor learning
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Journal of Experiential EducationDiverse range of articles in subject areas such as outdoor adventure programming, service learning, environmental education, therapeutic applications, research and theory.
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Journal of Interpretation ResearchOriginal empirical research dealing with interpretation and a forum for scholarly discourse about issues facing the profession of interpretation
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Journal of Leisure ResearchArticles devoted to original investigations that contribute new knowledge and understanding to the field of leisure studies
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Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and LeadershipResearch on outdoor recreation, education, and leadership.
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Journal of Park and Recreation AdministrationScholarly articles for the leisure service practitioner, focusing on planning, finance, organizational practice, personnel evaluation, programming, and marketing and promotion
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Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & DanceInformation on all aspects of physical education, recreation, dance, athletics and safety education as taught in schools and colleges.
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LARNet: The Cyber Journal of Applied Leisure and Recreation ResearchInternational open-access publication dedicated to distributing original scholarly research that contributes to the advancement of knowledge in leisure and recreation
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LeisureResearch in all areas of leisure, recreation, and tourism; of interest to academics, practitioners, administrators, and students
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Leisure SciencesPresents scientific inquiries into the study of leisure, recreation, and travel and how they affect the physical and social environment
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Leisure StudiesCovers all aspects of leisure and recreation: leisure behavior in the arts, sports, cultural and informal activities
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Managing Sport and LeisureArticles to inform and stimulate discussions relevant to leisure management
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ScholeInformation about education in parks and recreation, such as curriculum, course offerings, teaching, internships, fieldwork and faculty in the field
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Therapeutic Recreation JournalNational forum for research and discussion on the needs of persons with disabilities, problems confronting the profession, new vistas of service, and receiving therapeutic recreation services
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World Leisure JournalResearch, theory, and critical thought in all areas that address leisure, including play, recreation, the arts and culture, sport, festivals and celebrations, health and fitness, and travel and tourism
Adapted from Justine Martin's Minnesota State University Mankato Library Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services Library Guide.
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Social Sciences & Programs Team
Contact:
Website
Email | Web Form
Social Science & Professional Programs Team Librarians:
Sylvia Tag
Elizabeth Stephan
Emily Spracklin
Team Website:
Subjects: Accounting, Anthropology, Business, Canadian Studies, Communication Sciences & Disorders, Decision Sciences, Economics, Education, FIGs, Finance, Health, Health and Human Development, Human Services, International Business, Linguistics, Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Medicine, Nursing, Outreach & Continuing Education, Political Science, Recreation, Rehabilitation Counseling, Sociology, Tax
Government Sites
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US Department of the InteriorOverarching agency that oversees the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service among others.
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National Park ServicePreserves and manages US National Parks, national monuments, and historical properties.
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Bureau of Land ManagementAgency responsible for managing public lands, accounting for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the United States.
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US Fish & Wildlife ServiceAgency dedicated to the conservation and enhancement of fish and wildlife in the US.
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US Forest ServiceAgency dedicated to sustaining forests and grasslands for future generations.
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Washington Department of Natural ResourcesState agency responsible for managing public lands in Washington State.
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Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office: Recreation Reports and StudiesState agency responsible for funding projects that protect and improve natural and outdoor recreation resources.
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Whatcom County Parks & RecreationCounty department responsible provision of parks, trails, natural areas, recreational activities, and senior services.
Statistics, Reports, and other Websites
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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) National NetworkThrough ten regional ADA Centers across the US, the ADA National Network provides information, guidance, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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American Time Use SurveyConducted by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the American Time Use Survey (ATUS) measures the amount of time people spend doing various activities, including leisure and recreation activities.
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Diversity DataStatistics related to race and ethnic breakdowns in metropolitan areas, presented by Brandeis University.
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Healthy People 2020National initiative responsible for establishing 10-year objectives for improving the health of all Americans. Useful source for finding health related data and evidence-based interventions.
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StatsAmericaStatistics on many topics compiled by the Kelley School of business at Indiana University.
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NRPA Research ReportsNational Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) research reports on a variety of topics.