Course research guide
HIST 1301 - Dr. Jonathan Lee
Problem-Based Learning:
Where Would You Settle?
This guide provides titles of and links to library resources that can help you with your problem-based learning assignment. Here's a link to the search sheet if you'd like to modify it and use it for your research diary: PBL Search Sheet (Word doc). See also: resources for Scenario 2: Hawaii.
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
If you're researching a particular topic, such as "biological warfare", then 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:
- colonial and history
- colonies and history
- new england and colonial
- dutch and colon*
- scot* and colon*
- german* and colon*
- labor and colonial
- immigrat* and 18th century
- social life and colon*
- customs and colon*
- women and new england
- women and 18th century
- thirteen colonies
| new england |
|
social life |
|
women |
|
|
|
|
||
| thirteen colonies |
|
religion |
|
men |
|
|
|
|
||
| colonial |
|
labor |
|
children |
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
Online databases require a valid SAC SSN & PIN (mmyy of birth) from off-campus. Your PIN is the same number you use to access student services online such as grades and registration.
A. Looking for background information or facts? - REFERENCE sources
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 (for all topics, includes Colonial America Reference Library 6v, 2000 and Dictionary of American History 3rd ed., 10v, 2003) |
| Online database | Oxford Reference Online (for all topics) |
| Ref D20 .H543 | History in Dispute (20 v.) |
| Ref E45 .E53 1993 | Encyclopedia of the North American Colonies |
| Ref E162 .E183 | Home and Child Life in Colonial Days |
| Ref E178.5 .A48 | Album of American History (6 v.) |
| Ref E441 .A579 2001 | American Slavery |
| Ref E441 .D53 1988 | Dictionary of Afro-American Slavery |
| Ref E188 .E63 1990 | Encyclopedia of Colonial and Revolutionary America |
| Ref E188 .P86 1999 | Colonial America to 1763 |
| Ref G1201 .E4 N4 2001 | New Historical Atlas of Religion in America |
| Ref G1201 .S1 A4 1966 | American Heritage Pictorial Atlas of U.S. History |
| Ref G1201 .S1 A8 1984 | Atlas of American History |
| Ref G1201 .S1 F5 2004 | National Geographic Historical Atlas of the U.S. |
| Ref G1201 .S1 G5 1969 | American History Atlas |
| Ref GT3020 .T594 2005 | Tobacco in History and Culture (2 v.) - see "British Empire" |
| Ref HA202 . B87 1975 | Historical Statistics of the U.S. - see pt. 2, ch. Z |
| Ref HD8066 .W637 2003 | Work in America: : an encyclopedia of history, policy, and society (2 v.) |
| Ref HG181 .M297 2002 | Financial History of the U.S. (3 v.) |
| Ref HG219 .M33 | Money and Exchange in Europe and America, 1600-1775 |
| Ref HQ1410 .C63 2002 | A Companion to American Women's History |
| Ref HQ1410 .E53 2002 | Encyclopedia of Women in American History (3 v.) |
| Ref HQ 1416 .M395 | Women in Early America |
| Ref HT861 .H57 1997 | Historical Encyclopedia of World Slavery (2 v.) |
| Ref KF4783 .C66 1999 | Constitutional debates on freedom of religion : a documentary history |
B. Looking for in-depth information? - BOOKS, VIDEOS, other items
- Books & Media (Catalog)
- netLibrary (eBooks) - do a Keyword search for: "colonial period"
- How to check out books & eBooks
- Here are a few subject headings you can use in the Catalog:
- women--new england--history
- united states--politics and government--to 1775
- virginia--history--colonial period
- women--virginia--history--18th century
- scots-irish--pennsylvania--history
- pennsylvania--history--colonial period
- immigrants--united states--history--18th century
- german americans--history--18th century
- african americans--history--to 1863
- north america--history--colonial period
- europe--territorial expansion--social aspects
- north america--ethnic relations
- new england--history--colonial period
- united states--social life and customs--to 1775
- united states--history--colonial period
C. Looking for current information or need to highlight a specific issue? - periodical ARTICLES
- Academic Search Complete (all topics)
- America: History and Life
- History Cooperative
- History Resource Center: U.S. (warning: only 2 users at a time!)
- History Resource Center: World (warning: only 2 users at a time!)
- JSTOR (history, humanities)
- Project Muse (humanites)
- Newspapers (Historical New York Times, Newsbank - San Antonio Express News, InfoTrac Custom - LA Times)
- More...
NOTE: If the full-text of the article isn't available online use the Journal Locator. Just type in the periodical title to see if SAC Library owns a paper copy or if another database offers full-text.
D. Looking for other sources? - free WEB SITES
- Classics of American Colonial History - collection of historical documents (books and articles); browse by Subject
- Librarians' Internet Index - collection of evaluated web sites for topics; do a search for: colonial
- Rare Map Collection: Colonial America - from the University of Georgia Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library
- History Buff Online Newspaper Archives - includes scanned images from pages of colonial newspapers
- Virtual Jamestown - product of collaboration between Virginia Tech, the University of Virginia, and the Virginia Center for Digital History at the University of Virginia; includes maps, first hand accounts and letters, labor contracts, and more.
- Colonial America 1600-1775 - K-12 resources for teachers; LOTS of links
- American Memory - from the Library of Congress; browse under Immigration, American Expansion
- American Journeys - Eyewitness accounts of Early American exploration and settlement
- Africans in America - PBS
- SAC Library Web Guide: U.S. History - by Ralph Domas, SAC Librarian
IV. Evaluate and Cite your sources
