Research Guides: Nonprofit Administration: Master of Nonprofit Administration (MNA) Library Research Guide

Gleeson Library Functions and Services

My Library Record
Log in here to see what books you have checked out, the progress of your book orders from Link+, and to renew items online!
Gleeson Home Delivery
USF students, faculty, and staff with classes off-campus (either online or outside the main campus) can also have circulating books and media delivered to them. To opt-in to this service, click the link above for Gleeson Home Delivery, and follow the instructions.
USF Interlibrary Loan
Interlibrary loan and document delivery.

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Logon to the Interlibrary Loan system to request materials from our collections and from other libraries

Getting Started: Overviews of your Topic

Gale eBooks
A great place to begin your research, Gale eBooks offers thousands of authoritative articles published in academic encyclopedias, and written by subject experts. Gale eBooks provides information you can not only trust, but cite in a paper as well. Formerly called GVRL: Gale Virtual Reference Library.
SAGE Knowledge
More than 300 encyclopedias, almanacs, and specialized reference sources for multidisciplinary research.

On Campus Link
Oxford Reference
More than 300 dictionaries and encyclopedias covering multiple subjects. Choose between "Quick Reference" and in-depth "Reference Library" titles.

On-Campus Link

Finding Articles and Dissertations

Fusion
Fusion allows you to search, in one place, the majority of the library’s books, articles, videos, etc. It includes all the materials in our library catalog Ignacio, as well as the content of the majority of our many databases.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
Does Fusion include everything the library has?
No, but it includes so much of what the library has that it will almost always be a good place to start a search.

When would Fusion not make sense as the first place to search?
Some examples:

If you’re interested in finding only books, or a specific book title, then our library catalog Ignacio might be a more appropriate place to begin.
If you’re looking specifically for statistical data, or encyclopedia/dictionary entries, or images, it would be better to use databases devoted to those specific types of information.
If you're looking for a specific Journal title, you should use our Journal Finder.
I’m very proficient using the subject-specific databases in my field. Is there any reason I should use Fusion?
Because Fusion will have such broad coverage, it may locate relevant materials published in other fields that you wouldn’t otherwise find in a subject-specific database.

So then why would I want to choose a subject-specific database anymore—can I just use Fusion instead?
Fusion is not replacing any of our subject-specific databases. These databases offer valuable advanced searching capabilities tailored to their subject areas.

On-Campus Link

Fusion Tips: Keyword search or Advanced search options:

Refine results with limits, including Source Types, Language, Dates, etc. Find these on the left side of your results screen.
Save results to Folder and email, print, and/or export results to RefWorks.
Use asterisk * for wildcard word endings: lead* = leader, leading, leadership
Use quotations marks to search for phrases: "nonprofit organizations" or "leadership theories"

Catalog of Nonprofit Literature
This database of the literature of philanthropy incorporates the unique contents of the Foundation Center's five libraries and contains more than 33,000 citations, the majority of which include descriptive abstracts. It is organized by our in-house classification system. The database covers literature on philanthropy, the foundations world, the nonprofit sector—particularly works on such topics as fundraising and proposal development—and works related to charitable giving, including project reports, studies, and statistical analysis.
Academic Search Complete
Academic Search Complete, designed specifically for academic institutions, is among the most valuable and comprehensive scholarly, multi-disciplinary full-text database, with more than 8,500 full-text periodicals, including more than 7,300 peer-reviewed journals.

In addition to full text, this database offers indexing and abstracts for more than 12,500 journals and a total of more than 13,200 publications including monographs, reports, conference proceedings, etc.

This scholarly collection offers unmatched full text coverage of information in many areas of academic study including: animal science, anthropology, area studies, astronomy, biology, chemistry, civil engineering, electrical engineering, ethnic & multicultural studies, food science & technology, general science, geography, geology, law, materials science, mathematics, mechanical engineering, music, pharmaceutical sciences, physics, psychology, religion & theology, veterinary science, women's studies, zoology, and many other fields.

Academic Search Complete offers critical information from many sources unique to this massive collection. The database features PDF content going back as far as 1887, with the majority of full text titles in native (searchable) PDF format. Searchable cited references are provided for more than 1,400 journals.

On Campus Link
Scopus
Scopus is the largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature: scientific journals, books and conference proceedings. Delivering a comprehensive overview of the world's research output in the fields of science, technology, medicine, social sciences, and arts and humanities, Scopus features smart tools to track, analyze and visualize research.
You may see a screen prompting you to register or personalize your account. You are not required to do so and can click the 'Continue' button to access the site. Similarly, if you encounter a “Welcome to Scopus” screen asking you to create an account or sign in, click 'X' in the upper right to close the window.

Comprehensive: Scopus has twice as many titles and over 30% more publishers listed than any other abstract and index (A&I) database, with interdisciplinary content that covers the research spectrum. Timely updates from thousands of peer-reviewed journals, preliminary findings from millions of conference papers, and the thorough analysis in an expanding collection of books ensure you have the most up-to-date and highest quality interdisciplinary content available.

On-Campus Link
Google Scholar
Articles, theses, books, abstracts and court opinions from academic publishers, professional societies, online repositories, universities and other web sites. Click "more" below to customize Google Scholar to access USF library journal subscriptions.

Customize Google Scholar to provide full-text links to journal articles available through Gleeson Library subscriptions:

If you are on campus, Google Scholar should recognize you as a USF user and link you to the full text.

If you are working from an off-campus location, you will need to manually activate USF's Full Text Finder in Google Scholar Library Links:

1. Go to the Google Scholar search page.
2. In the upper left corner of the page, press the button made of three horizontal lines to open a new menu.
3. Click "Settings."
4. Select "Library links" and search for "University of San Francisco."
5. Check "University of San Francisco – Full Text Finder" in the search results, then click Save.

When you search Google Scholar, you should now see "Full Text Finder" links to the right of your results. Click on these links to check if USF has access to your article.
ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global
The most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses from around the world, offering millions of works from thousands of universities. Full-text coverage spans from 1743 to the present, with citation coverage dating back to 1637.

Subject-Specific Databases

SUBJECT DATABASES
Depending on your topic, you may want to explore other subject databases.

Finding Books

Ignacio: Library Catalog
The library catalog lets you search across the holdings of Gleeson Library and Zief Law Library, including books, videos, and other materials. Alumni and visitor access.

Ignacio Search Tips:

Search by Keyword, Title, or Author
Do an Advanced search to add more search words, for more precise results.
Add results to cart, and then email them or export them to RefWorks
Use the Request button to order books for delivery or pick up.

Getting Books From Other Libraries

Link+
Search across more than 60 libraries in California and Nevada, and request available books to be delivered to Gleeson Library in 2-4 business days.

USF Interlibrary Loan
Interlibrary loan and document delivery.

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Logon to the Interlibrary Loan system to request materials from our collections and from other libraries

Ebooks

EBSCO eBook Collection
More than 165,000 academic ebooks in a wide variety of subjects with unlimited user access.

Using ebooks

On-Campus Link
ProQuest Ebook Central
ProQuest Ebook Central offers more than 140,000 ebooks (with unlimited user access) in a wide range of subject areas, along with powerful tools to help you find, use, and manage the information you need.

Using ebooks
eBook Academic Collection
Nearly 160,000 academic ebooks (with unlimited user access) in a wide variety of subjects,

Includes titles from leading university presses such as Oxford University Press, State University of New York Press, Cambridge University Press, University of California Press, MIT Press, Harvard University Press and many others. Additional academic publishers include Elsevier Ltd.; Brill Academic Publishers; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Sage Publications, Ltd. and John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Using ebooks

On-Campus Link

Statistics & Data

The Statistics & Data page includes links to General Statistics Sources, International, National (Federal), California, and San Francisco statistics and data sets.

Also includes pages on how to Cite your Data, Visualize and Map your Data, and Manage your Data.

Statista
Easy to use statistics search engine with access to more than a million statistics and facts.

Categorized into over 20 market sectors, Statista provides business customers, researchers, and the academic community with direct access to relevant quantitative facts on agriculture, finance, politics, and many more areas of interest.

Sources of information include market researchers, trade publications, scientific journals, and government databases.

On-campus link

The USF Scholarship Repository is important for your research and allows you to:

View the completed capstones and projects of previous students
Find articles on nonprofit topics written by the USF community
Upload your own project and becoming part of the scholarly community :)
Access Institute of Nonprofit Management (INOM) Case Studies

USF Scholarship Repository
The USF Scholarship Repository is an institutional repository service provided by the Gleeson Library | Geschke Center in collaboration with Dorraine Zief Law Library to digitally collect, preserve and provide electronic access to scholarly works and research output by the University of San Francisco community.

Master of Nonprofit Administration Capstone Projects

Public and Nonprofit Administration Articles by the USF Community

Institute of Nonprofit Management INOM Case Studies

The Institute began at USF in 1983 as one of the early pioneers in the field, launching the nation’s first master degree program dedicated to nonprofit management. It closed down in 2009. Gleeson Library's Scholarship Repository holds 24 of their case studies.

Submit your work!

Electronic Theses and Dissertation Submission Guide
Step by step instructions on how to submit your final project to USF's Institutional Repository.

Submission Agreement
This agreement must be completed and signed when you submit your project to the Institutional Repository.

Information about other USF digital publishing services

Organizations in California

Financial Statements for Nonprofit Organizations

Charity Navigator
Charity Navigator provides unbiased assessments of charities, and evaluates them based on criteria including financial health, transparency, and organizational activities. Includes charts of data, a rating system with explanations, and other metrics for evaluating the organization.
GuideStar
GuideStar Basic is free, and you can also register at the site for free to access even more data. Includes financial statements, tax forms, and information on programs, operations, and effectiveness.
Citizen Audit
Citizen Audit provides access to financial statements, 990 tax forms, and information on grants, programs, services, and more.
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
Includes financial statements and tax data from the most current year. Includes historical data for tracking trends. Also includes independent auditors' reports on each organization.
Highlights of IRS Form 990
A document that explains the various data points of the IRS 990 nonprofit tax form, and explains their meaning and importance for evaluating the organization.
Researching Nonprofits: The Bridgespan Group
Includes useful guides for researching a nonprofit, including studying the organization and its operations, conducting site visits, and interviewing leadership and board members.

Grants

Foundation Directory Online - Quick Start Version
Limited access to the database is available for free online by creating an account.

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For full access, visit the Foundation Center's San Francisco Office -- Hours of Operation.
GEO Grantmakers
The Grantsmanship Center
Find grant makers in your state.
Northern California Grantmakers
Southern California Grantmakers

More Grant Writing Sources

Grants and Grant Writing

Citing Your Sources

Whenever you do research, you will need to cite the information sources that you use. Most business scholars use APA style. Here are some tools that can help you with this task:

Gleeson Library's guide to citations: How? Why? When?

APA 7th Edition Citations for Business Sources
An excellent guide to using APA 7th edition style for popular business sources. Scroll through the guide to find an example for the business source you are using in your research. Compiled by librarians Naomi Schemm, Marcia Dellenbach, Zachary Grisham, Marianne Hageman, Natalia Tingle, Matt Trowbridge, and Amanda Wheatley
Citing Business Databases in APA: Michigan State University Guide
This guide was created to help with citing some common business databases
Citing Business Databases from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro
This guide has some additional business database examples in APA style.
MLA Business Citations: Youngstown State University
Scroll down the page to see citations for specific business web sites, reports, and databases cited in MLA style.
Purdue OWL
Our favorite style guide web site is the OWL from Purdue University.

RefWorks
RefWorks allows users to create personal databases to manage, store, and share the information citations/references. Users can automatically insert references from their database into their papers and generate formatted bibliographies and manuscripts in seconds. Create an account using your USF email address.

See our RefWorks Guide for information about creating accounts, using add-ons, and accessing user guides.

Citation Management

RefWorks Generate bibliographies and manage your citations online from any computer with this robust online citation management database. Free access for USF affiliates.
Zotero Generate bibliographies and organize PDFs with this free, open source citation management tool. Loyola Marymount University has created some great video tutorials on how to get started with the standalone version of Zotero on PC and how to integrate Zotero with your word processor. For getting started with Mac, view this tutorial.
EndNote Students, staff and faculty can purchase the discounted academic version. In addition to technical support, EndNote offers extensive training videos, guides and webinars. EndNote can also be downloaded for a free 30 day trial.
Purdue Owl This searchable online guide to APA style provides examples of APA citation.

Getting Help!

There are several ways to obtain assistance with your research. Read on!

The School of Management has a library liaison named Penny Scott, and you can contact her for help.

Her contact information is: email: plscott@usfca.edu * phone: 415-422-5389

It is best to call or email ahead, or make an appointment, to make sure she is available! Appointments are available virtually via Zoom, or in-person, and are great for groups or individuals.

If Penny is not available, or any time you need help, you can always get help, just Ask a Librarian!

You can also take a look at our Research Guides on many topics!

Other Useful Research Guides

Finding Scholarly Articles

How to Write a Literature Review

Using Ebooks

Journals and Journal Articles at USF

The USF Learning, Writing, and Speaking Center

Gleeson Library

Nonprofit Administration

Reference Librarian/Business Liaison

Penny's Office Hours Fall 2021