Description
Book SynopsisIn today's world of modern research methods, the irony is that even though more materials are readily available now than ever before, this proliferation of sources has actually made the process more difficult for the novice researcher. In addition, today's professors expect high-quality sources to be used in students' undergraduate research precisely because so much information is available; however, without instruction, many students are not even aware of the standard history sources that they should be using routinely for history research projects. Finding History is a practical and modern guide to research for history projects, helping to sort through the available resources and technology for students, scholars, and librarians. Finding History includes practical, step-by-step instructions for discovering historical evidence using library catalogs, databases, and websites. It simplifies and clarifies the research process so that students new to the experience may locate appropriat
Trade ReviewAuthored by the associate director for information literacy and research services for the Waidner-Spahr Library at Dickinson College, this work is good for students to use as a handbook for learning to research, specifically in the area of history but in all areas that can use ideas and examples drawn from history, as well as being suitable for librarians seeking ideas for information literacy sessions for history students, and for collection development of free and paid sources. Written so that it can be read cover-to-cover as a textbook or informational text, the chapters also stand alone, serving as a reference book to refer to when facing specific questions....This book is of great use to new students of history and those practitioners who are new to technology or wish a refresher to adapt to the ever-changing and over-expanding world of historical research, and to gain an understanding of the methods and standards behind the research proves followed by librarians and history professionals. * American Reference Books Annual *
Finding History is a well-written, concise, and easy-to-use volume that can be used for bibliographic instruction for students of history or the liberal arts. After an introduction, a "getting started" section, and an overview, Bombaro (Dickinson College) covers tertiary, secondary, and primary sources and search tricks. The final chapter is "Case Study." The lessons on deciding whether or not materials are scholarly and on determining bias, as well as the excellent case study on the use of these techniques, would be welcome in any bibliographic instruction session at any college or university. The information presented in Finding History will be incredibly useful to two- and four-year college students. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower- and upper-level undergraduates. * CHOICE *
New students of history have more than ever to contend with: not only is more information available than ever before, but much of it is misleading or false. Finding history aims to help students distinguish between academically acceptable information and bunkum, and to identify appropriate research tools. ... The publisher has made an attractive book, recommended for libraries facing regular influxes of history students. * The Australian Library Journal *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Preface Chapter One: Introduction to Historical Research Chapter Two: Getting Started Chapter Three: Overview of Historical Information Chapter Four: Tertiary Sources Chapter Five: Secondary Sources Chapter Six: Primary Sources Chapter Seven: Search Tricks Chapter Eight: Case Study Appendix 1: Bibliography Appendix 2: Footnotes Appendix 3: Academic Presses and Scholarly Journals for Historians Appendix 4: How to Tell the Difference between an Online Article and a Website Appendix 5: How to Scan Secondary Sources for Content
