sources for history research presented by richard pears june 2007
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Sources for History research
Presented by Richard PearsJune 2007
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Learning outcomes
After this session you will be able to
•identify the range of secondary and published sources available
•select the most appropriate sources for your research subject
•search efficiently using catalogues and bibliographical databases
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What information do you need?
• Define research area: People, period, place
• Focus: i.e. politics, society, religion, economics, etc
• Information: facts, theories, historiography, data, images, artefacts, etc.
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Break down the subject into searchable areas
Sample question:
How has Elizabeth I been portrayed in media and why?
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Where will you find information?
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Some sources of information
Books Internet pages
Journals Statistics
Databases Newspapers
Theses Government publications
Manuscripts Contacts: staff, organisations
Images
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Start here! http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/history/
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How to find information: Books
Use the Library Catalogue: http://library.dur.ac.uk/
• All material held in Durham University Libraries
• Author, title, keyword, subject searching
• Reserve, recall, renew items in Library
• Obtain items from store
• Export citations for your bibliography
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Using the Library catalogue
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Locating other sources
• Use the references and bibliographies cited in other books
• Look for other works by cited authors
• Look for published collections, e.g. Surtees Society, Camden Miscellany, Calendar of State Papers
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Using bibliographic databases
• Search engines indexing thousands of journals, theses, working papers
• Often include book reviews
• Sometimes link to full text
• Download references to relevant sources, then search for these in the Library catalogue
• See list at http://aesica.dur.ac.uk/delores/databases/databasessubject.asp?subject=History
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Using Historical Abstracts
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Using journal databases - RHS
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Using journal databases – web of knowledge
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Using journal databases - JSTOR
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Images
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Online exercise
Use the online resources available from the Library’s History web pages to locate information on your subject.
Go to http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/history/
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Recap
What sources will you need for your research?
How will you find this information?
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Getting help
Library web pages: http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/history/
Contact us: [email protected]
Speak to your tutors
Good luck!