Subject guides: Policy Studies: Journals, databases & directories

Finding journal articles

Journal articles and research papers are important sources for policy research. They help to locate material that discusses and analyses the theoretical aspects of policy change. Databases listed in this guide are will help you locate journal articles and other research material on your topic.

Most journals are available electronically, you can access key journals via Library Search and browse within the journals for recent articles. Databases and journals may also help you identify peer reviewed research.

Library Search

Databases and catalogues

Databases for Social Work & Policy Studies
OECD iLibrary
Capital Monitor
Libraries Australia
AustLii
Parlinfo
Policy File Index
Policy File Index is the leading web-based resource for information on public policy issues with indexing and linking to the output of over 350 think tanks and similar organizations.

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Policy File Index is a unique resource for U.S. public policy research. Users are able to access timely, updated information from over 350 public policy think tanks, nongovernmental organizations, research institutes, university centers, advocacy groups, and other entities.

Indexes and subject directories

Film, TV and video databases

Films for Action
A free platform of over 4,500 films - a clearinghouse for the ideas, knowledge, and perspectives which influence social policy.

TVNews via Informit Online Sept 2007 - Present
Australian TV news, current affairs programs, selected documentaries from free-to-air networks. Unikey required.
Provided access is restricted to University of Sydney staff and students, the material is used for educational purposes and the Copyright Part VA Warning Notice is displayed, possible uses of TVNews items include:
- lecturers downloading a news items to a workstation and showing this in a class or tutorial
- lecturers loading a number of news stories into a Learning Management System such as Blackboard or WebCT and making these available online to students
- students viewing the items online or saving a copy on their workstation for later viewing
Terms & conditions
Tutorial
Kanopy streaming videos
Kanopy is a leading distributor of tertiary educational videos (streaming videos and DVDs). Major subjects covered include: The arts, business and training, health sciences, media and communication, natural sciences, social sciences, and teacher education.

Access to Kanopy is currently limited, please visit the library FAQ page for more information.
Link to or embed a Kanopy video
Suggest captioning

Acceptable Use Policy
Terms & conditions
Artfilms Digital
Artfilms Digital includes a variety of documentaries and interviews to educate and inform.
Film Platform
An international selection of documentary films for the academic world.

Key journals

Key databases on family

Australian Institute of Family Studies
This database indexes and abstracts both published and unpublished material, with a strong emphasis on applied social sciences, policy and practice issues relevant to Australian families and Australian society. Most aspects of Australian social policy are comprehensively covered in the database. The database includes many articles that analyse and discuss the theoretical context of Australian social policy.
Research material includes include journals, conference papers, books, book chapters, government publications, research reports, discussion and working papers, statistical documents, annual reports, bibliographies and theses. The database includes many full text articles and links to documents available on the web.
Australian Family & Society Abstracts Database via Informit Online (1980 - present)
This database provides a comprehensive index and abstracts database which covers research, policy and practices issues about Australian families.
Family Thesaurus
A list of subject headings used in the Australian Family & Society Abstracts Database

Government departments and agencies

The Australian Government website is currently not hosting any publications. So links to Australian Government Entry Point, Australian Government websites, and Current annual reports are currently broken.

You can use the following two sites to find Australian Government publications:

Australian Government Directory - choose which of the Government departments or agencies you are interested in and click through to their website and publications page.
Australian Government Publication Guide - to access selected Australian Commonwealth and State Government publications located in Australia's National and State Libraries and on the internet.