PAID 112 Section 07 - Row-Heyveld (Spring 2021)

In this Guide, you'll find:

• Resource suggestions for your section topic:
  • Getting started with reference sources
  • Gathering more information through books, articles, websites, etc.
• Tips on searching for sources and evaluating the sources you find
• Contact information for your librarian

Preus Library has so much more than what's in this Guide! When you have questions about the library or about finding a resource, don't hesitate to get in touch.

Return to the Paideia 112 Research Unit Guide

Research isn't about finding that one perfect source that makes all the connections for you.

It's about pulling together information that helps you formulate your ideas and make the argument yourself. This video (2 minutes) explains why finding one perfect source isn't feasible, and describes some ways you can be strategic about your searching.

Video posted on YouTube by North Carolina State University Libraries under a Creative Commons 3.0 BY-NC-SA US license.

Reference materials are the place to begin your research.  Reading in specialized encyclopedias will anchor your research in an historical context and will give you the key terms and concepts to conduct successful database searches.

As you start exploring the library and its resources, here are some tips to help you gather more sources:

• Use filters in the catalog and in databases. Typically along the left side of your search results screen, you'll be able to filter your search results by topic, by type of source, by date, and more.
• Heading to the stacks? Browse the shelves near the book you're headed for--you'll probably find more books on the same topic.
• Use subject terms--these are standardized phrases that librarians assign to sources that are all on the same topic. You can generally find them in the description of a resource. If you click on one, you'll see more articles or books about the same thing.
• What documents or research are your sources citing? See if you can track those down too.