Introduction
This guide contains information you'll need for using the COD Library resources.
If you need additional help, please contact the History Librarian or stop by the Reference Desk. You can also contact a Reference Librarian online: Ask A Librarian.
Getting Started
(Suggested) Steps for conducting research in History.
There are many entry points in joining a conversation about history. You might find a book, article, film, a primary source, something from a text book - all of these sources can provide a point of entry into a topic. But first, you need to find your topic!
In the following examples, I'm using the country Sri Lanka, but these strategies work for any country that you're research.
Identifying your topic:
- Search using Google for Sri Lanka Timeline to find significant events in its history
- Try doing a Google search for News in Sri Lanka, or narrow this down by including terms such as news in Sri Lanka Music, news in Sri Lanka Food, news in Sri Lanka Politics, etc.
If you need an introduction to, or background information on, a topic
If you already have a vague idea about your topic, for example something about, Sri Lanka and politics, you'll want to do some preliminary search for background information. Ask yourself "so what?" about your topic.
Background Information - Searching
Encyclopedias are often your best friend for getting background information on a topic.
- Use encyclopedias available from the COD Library, such as Credo and Encyclopedia Britannica, These are EXCELLENT sources that are written by scholars with academic credentials. For example, in the Encyclopedia Britannica I found that Sri Lanka was previously known as Ceylon, and after nearly 150 years gained independence from British rule in 1948.
- Search Wikipedia - While this site can be updated by anyone, it can be useful to find ideas related to your topic.
- Use Books - search the COD Library for books that give an overview of your topic.
Resources for your paper
Once you have some background on your topic, then start to gather resources for your paper or presentation. In searching for secondary sources, use the COD Library to find articles and books on your specific topic.
Suggested resources include:
- JSTOR - an archive of scholarly articles only on nearly every academic discipline
- Academic Search Complete - another multi-disciplinary database that has both scholarly and popular articles, including newspaper articles, and some multi-media sources
- Library catalog - find books and video related to your topic
