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Why Use A Database?

A database allows you to look for articles in many different journals at one time. Some databases also provide access to additional materials such as dissertations, book chapters, books, datasets, magazines, newspapers. sound recordings, videos, etc. 
  • If the full text of an article is not available within a database, try one of these three ways to figure out if the library has the journal, or call the Research Help Desk at 405-325-4142 for assistance.
  • What if you tried those three things and the library does not have a journal article that you need? We can still get it for you via our interlibrary loan service. It's free! And articles often come electronically within a few days. 
  • If you need a list of political science journals, see the Journals Ranked by JCR tab, to the left.

Essential Databases for Political Science

These are the major databases for finding articles in political science journals.

International and Area Studies

These databases are useful for finding articles and other materials about international affairs and individual regions of the world. Also see this guide to International and Area Studies Resources.

Multidisciplinary Databases

Subject Specific Databases

These databases have proven useful to political science students in the past. See also the other subject guides.

Video, Images, Audio

These databases cover still images, video, and audio. See also Film and Media StudiesAudio and Video Resources at OU, and Museum Studies.