Sociology
Discover the best information, whether you’re a new Sociology student starting your first assignment or delving into a research project.
Library essentials
Reading Lists
These are set up by your tutors to guide you to good quality, relevant and useful materials to help you with your studies. They are a great starting point before doing your own research.
Library Search
Did you know? The citation tool in Library Search can help you create references! Learn how to make the most of Library Search through our short, interactive guide: Use Library Search to find academic information for your assessments.
Subject specific resources
Key resources for sociology students
Databases
Databases are searchable collections of good quality, academic material, particularly journal articles. They can be small subject specific or large collections covering a wide range of subject areas. Most databases provide access to full-text items.
| Provides access to hundreds of academic journals covering criminology, psychology, sociology, and much more. | |
| This collection provides clear and concise descriptions of key concepts in sociology. | |
| Collates reports, working papers, and other information from health providers, hospital systems, foundations, patient groups, practitioner groups, governments, think tanks into a single resource. | |
| Provides access to millions of quality, peer-reviewed articles covering a wide range of topics in the sciences and humanities. | |
| Contains a range of research databases covering the full range of academic subjects. | |
| A great place to start a search on most subjects, providing access to both books and journal articles | |
| A user-friendly resource designed to support the unique needs of psychology and counselling in research, teaching, and learning. | |
| An online collection hosting books, periodicals, and archival materials documenting LGBT political, social and cultural movements throughout the twentieth century and into the present day. | |
| Supports the research of crime, its causes and impacts, and social implications. | |
| Contains the resources needed to investigate both crucial global trends in mass incarceration, and the detailed prison infrastructure of specific countries. |
Digital Archives
Digital Archives predominantly contain digitised primary sources. These are original documents and objects that give first-hand accounts of a topic or event and are created by people who had a direct connection with the topic or event. These can be government, company or personal papers, newspapers, books or magazines, or films or works of art.
| Contains a robust and significant collection of primary sources for the historical study of sex, sexuality, and gender. | |
| Provides evidence of historical trends such as the increasing role of women in work, the birth of the welfare state, eating habits, and the increasing importance of radio, television, and cinema. | |
| The database offers a range of primary sources covering the social, political, and cultural shifts during the period of 1950 to 1975. | |
| A collection of primary sources exploring 100 years of youth culture from Rave, Punk, Rockabilly to Grime. |
Video
Videos offer a dynamic way to absorb information. They often present complex ideas in an easily digestible format.
| A substantial collection of videos for a wide range of subject areas including, business, counselling, film, health, history, music, and more. | |
| Provides access to a large, curated catalogue of more than 30,000 educational documentaries and classic films from leading producers. |
Industry Websites
Industry websites provide information, resources, and updates related to a specific sector or type of business. They can be valuable resources for staying informed about industry trends, accessing research materials, and discovering more about organisations and industry professionals.
| The largest sociological network in the UK and is the public face of sociology in Britain. |
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning offers more than 9,000 professionally produced online courses covering a wide range of technical, creative and professional skills.
Always use our institutional link to log in – you will need your University email address and password. The first time that you log in, you will be taken through a setup process to discover courses tailored to your interests.
Discover more in our video: Using LinkedIn Learning at Salford.
Print Books
You can borrow print books from the Library. Below is a map of where to find social work-related books. The location details below are a guide, it is best to search Library Search for exact location of items:
| Classmark | Subject Area |
| 301 | Sociology |
Inclusive Collections
Expand your research with diverse voices and perspectives using our Inclusive Collections initiative. Explore school-based collections to find high-quality, inclusive resources.
Develop your skills
Finding information skills
Developing information skills saves time and give you stronger sources for your assessments. Finding information on the Skills website covers everything you need to learn how to search for resources effectively.
Further support
The Skills website has eLearning to help you achieve your study goals - from academic writing support and referencing guidance to help with presentation skills, using generative AI, time management and more.
You can also attend our academic skills workshops. If you need extra support you can contact the Academic Skills Team to ask a question or request a one-to-one appointment.