HTY 390: Research Methods   Tags: historiography, history  

You've got a major research project for this course. This guide will help you get started doing your research and finding sources.

Each tab above covers different types of resources you'll want to explore for your project. 

In addition to resources available in Mantor and other local libraries, there is information about how to access materials in archives, special collections and other primary source repositories.

Got questions about library resources? 

Want recommendations for researching your topic?

Contact Laurie or Janet - your HTY 390 librarians!   We can set up a mutually convenient time to meet with you and review your topic and discuss research options with you.  Our contact information is on right side of this page.

Want to make sure you're not missing a good source of information for your topic?  Use this resource checklist as a guide when doing your research.

A couple of search tips to keep in mind:

1.  Terms used to describe an event or era can change over time.  For example, World War I, First World War, or the Great War will not be used as subjects in early indexes that cover that time period. No one obviously knew then it would be a “Great” war or that there would be more than one! Look for a subjects such as European War or European Conflict...which is how the whole thing started.

2. Names change. If you are doing research involving a specific geographic region, it may have had more than one name throughout its history. Think Constantinople, now Istanbul; Burma, now Myanmar; and Nyasaland, now Malawi. 

3.  Spelling may differ. There is a Labour Party in the UK (not a Labor Party).

When doing research, don't forget to look back...

Your search may turn up the “perfect” book or article for your topic.  Use it to find more information by looking at the materials used to write it.  Look at what the author cites for sources and use those sources for your own research.  A backward search starts with:

• bibliography in a book,
• list of references or works cited in a journal article, or
• information sources mentioned in a newspaper article.

Following a citation trail “backwards” is a valuable technique that scholars and researchers use to find even more information on their topic!  It is also a useful tool if you want to do a very thorough search for information (especially for a master’s thesis or a dissertation).