Subject Librarian
Finding Background Information
Use these sources to gain familiarity with your topic, narrow your research question, provide context, and identify experts.
- Encyclopedia of the HolocaustCall Number: Columbia Cooper Reference, Main Level, D804.3 .E53 1990
- Credo Reference This link opens in a new window
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Use to find quick facts, images or background information on various topics in dictionaries and encyclopedias. - History Reference Source This link opens in a new window
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Features reference books, history periodicals, and other secondary sources as well as thousands of historical documents. Oriented towards high schools and undergraduate researchers. - Oxford Reference This link opens in a new windowFully indexed, cross-searchable database of dictionary, language reference, and subject reference works in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and sciences published by Oxford University Press.
Understanding Primary and Secondary Sources
Primary sources = Evidence
- Created during the time period or event you are studying, or produced by a participant (even if after the fact)
- Primary sources are defined by how they are used (i.e. as evidence for interpretation of the past) rather than by what they are (i.e. format or type of material)
Secondary sources = Analysis and interpretation
- Written by historians, scholars, and other researchers
- Secondary sources are based on the analysis and interpretation of primary evidence and other sources
Search Tips & Strategies: Constructing Your Search
| AND | AND narrows your search by telling Find It @ USC, article databases, or other library resources that ALL keywords must be found in a source in order for it appear in your results |
| OR |
OR broadens your search by telling Find It @ USC, article databases, or other library resources that ANY keywords much be found in a source in order for it to appear in your results. This is a great option for searching synonyms or related terms. If you type in women OR females, results will have either term but not necessarily both. |
| * |
This is a truncation symbol that will broaden your search by including various word endings. female* will search for female as well as females portray* will search for portray, portrays, as well as portrayal |
Example:
How Do I...?
- Wall Street Journal Higher Education Membership This link opens in a new windowCreate an account for free individual access to the Wall Street Journal for USC Columbia students, faculty, and staff through WSJ.com as well as WSJ apps, subscriber-only podcasts and videos. You must use your university email address to register for your account.
- New York Times - Online Pass This link opens in a new windowGet unlimited access to NYTimes.com and some NYT mobile apps. You will need to claim your pass and register it with an online account first. After registration, simply login to NYTimes.com from anywhere and enjoy free access.