Joseph Roberts
Demographic and Socioeconomics
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Explore Census DataSearches both the 2010 and 2020 censuses. You can do a keyword search using the search box in the blue box or use the advanced search in the area below the blue box to query by geography, topic, and date. To create a query by topic, geography, etc. use the menu on the left side of the advanced search screen to select a topic, geography, or date and click on the "Search" button in the lower right corner of the screen. Other search tips can be found here.
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Statistical AtlasTo see information similar to what you would find at Census.gov in graphic form, select your state and then your city from the U.S. map. Select the information you would like to see from the right column of the page.
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ArcGIS Online and other Mapping SoftwareLearn about using ArcGIS Online and mapping software available to Ball State University students.
Your City's Culture, History, Economy, Geography, and Topography
Articles from history, political science, public policy, and urban studies journals may be helpful. Also newspapers articles can chronicle an issue in your city. See the "Interest or Pressure Groups" box below for links to newspaper databases.
Tip: Combining your city with keywords such as history, culture, or a known event or issue may be helpful as well (e.g. Boston and race relations or New Orleans and Katrina). You may want to search using the phrase "politics and government" to find books related to the historical political environment.
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OneSearch This link opens in a new windowFind books and articles which will help with this section of your assignment. You can use the facets in the left column to filter your results to books, e-books, journal articles or just peer reviewed sources. You might consider doing an advanced search. Put your city in the top box and select "Subject Terms" from the dropdown box to the left of the search box. Then put your other search terms in the box(es) below.
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America: History & Life with Full Text This link opens in a new windowEnter the name of your city into the search box. You might combine it with an event known to have taken place in the city or a keyword that relates to your topic (e.g. Chicago and fire, Chicago and socioeconomic).
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JSTOR This link opens in a new windowThis database includes articles from many disciplines, including history, political science, and urban studies. All of these areas may be helpful in understanding your city.
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Academic Search Complete This link opens in a new windowThis database includes articles from journals in such disciplines as history, political science, and urban studies.
Interest or Pressure Groups
News and newspaper editorials will not only tell you what issues communities care about, but also can help you determine who the interest groups are.
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Nexis Uni This link opens in a new windowProvides full text access to the newspapers of major cities around the world. Does not include the Muncie Star Press.
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Access World News This link opens in a new windowTends to have newspapers from smaller cities and also provides the text for many newspapers around the world. Does not include the Muncie Star Press.
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OneSearch This link opens in a new windowFind books and articles from newspapers, magazines, and journals. Do an advanced search and put your city in the top box and the phrase "Interest Groups" OR "Pressure Groups" in the second box of the advanced search.