Books are a great resource to use when searching for general information on a topic. They are useful for understanding a topic in its context and provide summaries of existing research as well as offer a historical perspective.
Books are best located using the Search feature in our Library Catalogue.
If McMaster Library does not own a book that interests you, you can request it through RACER, our interlibrary loan system.
Our books are arranged according to the Library of Congress Classification system. When looking for books in Social Sciences it is a good idea to start with Class H- Social Sciences.
Subclasses that may be of interest to you include:
H 1-99 Social sciences (general)
HC 94-1085 Economic history and conditions (by region or country)
HM 811-821 Deviant behaviour. Social deviance (Sociology)
HV 1-9960 Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology
For a good explanation of Secondary Resources check out these links:
For a good explanation of Primary Resources check out these links: