Preliminary Search
PRELIMINARY SEARCH OF SOURCES
Student Name:
This exercise is designed to guide you in finding information on your topic/subject for research in (a) general reference volumes, (b) periodicals, and (c) books. If, because of the nature of your subject, you cannot answer a question, indicate why in the appropriate space. Reading through this entire document before starting will give you an overview of getting started in the library.
Remember that you may have to broaden your subject in order to find it listed in the various reference tools to which you will be directed.
1. Subject of Research Paper:
2. Encyclopedias
A. I found an article on (or related to) my subject in volume ____,
pages ____, of the following encyclopedia (choose one):
I. The Encyclopedia Americana
Especially good for American & scientific subjects
II. The Encyclopedia Britannica
Strong on British and "cultural" subjects
III. The Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences
Especially on full biographies
IV. Encyclopedia of Human Rights
V. The African-American Encyclopedia
VI. Dictionary of Asian-American
VII. Women's Studies Encyclopedia
VIII. Other(s) - specify - for example, New Catholic
Encyclopedia, Standard Jewish Encyclopedia,
Encyclopedia of American Agriculture
Note: If you find no article under the subject you have chosen, try
1. Looking up your topic under a broader...
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