Course research guide
HIST 1301 - Dr. Jonathan Lee
Scenario 2: Hawaii
This guide provides titles of and links to library resources that can help you with your research. Here's a link to the search sheet if you'd like to modify it and use it to keep track of your research: Search Sheet (Word doc). Some of the sources from Scenario 1 "Where Would You Settle?" will also be of use.
Have fun with your search, and let me know
if you have questions or need help at any time!
I. Define Topic - reference sources in section III. below can help you with this part!
What topic are you researching?
List what you know about your topic -- who, what, when, where, why, and how:
What would you like to find out about your topic? What questions do you have? What are your learning issues?
II. Devise Strategy - create a flexible search plan, list key words/names
Whatever topic you're researching, you need to list as many synonyms and related key words as possible. Use the list of words to create multiple combinations with the word AND in order to have a successful search:
- hawaii and cook
- hawaiian islands
- sandwich islands
- hawai'i
- hawaiians
- hawaii and migration
- hawaii and trade
- hawaii and colonies
- etc.
| hawaii |
|
trade |
|
labor |
|
|
|
|
||
| hawaiians |
|
sugar |
|
work |
|
|
|
|
||
| sandwich islands |
|
economic* |
|
So...what's the difference between KEYWORD v. SUBJECT searching?
Keyword
search = to combine key words or for more specific search; finds items that
contain your keywords
Subject
search = for broad search or when you know terminology; finds items that
are about that topic
TIPS:
- Use symbols such as the * at the end of key words to pick up alternate endings.
- Use keyword and subject searching together: start with a keyword search,
find an item that's relevant, then look for subject headings within item descriptions and incorporate
those subject words into your search strategy.
III. Search Sources
A. Looking for background information or facts? - REFERENCE sources
Online databases require a valid SAC SSN & PIN from off-campus. Your PIN is the same number you use to access student services online such as grades and registration. Sources labeled Ref are in print and available at the SAC Library, 2nd floor reference room. You can also check your local library catalog to see if they own a copy.
| Location & Call No. | Reference Source Title |
| Online database | Gale Virtual Reference Library (includes Colonial America Reference Library 6v, 2000 and Dictionary of American History 3rd ed., 10v, 2003) |
| Online database | History Resource Center: U.S. (warning: only 2 users at a time!) |
| Location & Call No. | Reference Source Title |
| Ref D23 .B45 2005 | Berkshire encyclopedia of world history (5 v.) |
| Ref DU17 .P3 2000 | The Pacific Islands: an encyclopedia |
| Ref DU19 .P3 1973 | Encyclopedia of Discovery and Exploration: Pacific Voyages |
| Ref DU624.9 .D39 1984 | History Makers of Hawaii |
| Ref DU629 .H7 C73 1998 | Historical Dictionary of Honolulu and Hawai'i |
| Ref E45 .E49 1999 | Encyclopedia of North American History (11 v.) |
| Ref E45 .E53 1993 | Encyclopedia of the North American Colonies (3 v.) |
| See also | listings of colonial reference works from "Where Would You Settle?" guide |
B. Looking for in-depth information? - BOOKS, VIDEOS, other items
Here are a few subject headings you can use to search in Books
& Media (Catalog):
C. Looking for current information or need to highlight a specific issue? - periodical ARTICLES
Online databases listed below require a valid SAC SSN & PIN from off-campus. Your PIN is the same number you use to access student services online such as grades and registration.
- America: History and Life (not all full-text; use Journal Locator or CORAL list to locate item)
- Project Muse (humanities)
- Academic Search Complete (all topics; includes the Hawaiian Journal of History)
- See also: more databases by subject...
NOTE: If the full-text of the article isn't available online use the SAC Journal Locator. For instance, a non-full-text item from America History & Life on Hawaii is published in Pacific Historical Review. Type that title into the Journal Locator to find out if the library has this journal full-text somewhere else online or in paper in the 4th floor Periodicals.
Two other places to search for periodicals: the CORAL list will tell you which library in/around San Antonio has a periodical; WorldCat will tell you which library in Texas or around the World has a periodical.
D. Looking for other sources? - free WEB SITES
- An Outline of American Geography: Chapter 17 - Hawaii
http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/geography/geog17.htm - Common Place: Special Issue - Pacific Routes
http://www.common-place.org/vol-05/no-02/ - Coffee Times: Lucy Thurston, Missionary Wife
http://www.coffeetimes.com/thurston.htm - History of the Hawaiian Islands
http://www.hawaiischoolreports.com/history.htm (Also see http://www.hawaiischoolreports.com/history/whaling.htm#hawaii)
IV. Evaluate and Cite your sources
