Skip to Main Content

World History 1112: 1500 to the Present: Secondary Resources

HIST 1112

Database Search Tips

Finding good information resources can be frustrating!

Make it a more satisfying experience by using these strategies:

  • Use specific search terms - A search for global warming will get thousands of results, but global warming and agricultural impact will result in fewer and more relevant results.

  • Try using the "Advanced Search" screen - You'll find it easier to add more terms to your search and specify where they should appear - for example, in an article title or subject heading.

  • Try an exact phrase - Searching for stem cell research will retrieve results with these three words, but to ensure that they appear as a phrase (together and in the same order), try putting them in quotation marks: "stem cell research".

  • Use "search options" or "limits" - limit your search to full text articles, academic/scholarly articles (what's this?) or to a specific date range. Limit features can often be found in a side menu or on the database's Advanced Search screen.

If you get stuck, contact your campus librarian!

Scholarly, Popular & Trade Journals

Your instructor may require articles from scholarly journals (also called academic or peer-reviewed journals) instead of popular magazines.

There's also something called a trade journal.

Multiple magazines scattered on a table.

What's the difference? Here's a quick overview courtesy of Ithaca College Library.

What is a Secondary Source?

Secondary sources were created by someone who did not experience first-hand or participate in the events or conditions you’re researching. For a historical research project, secondary sources are generally scholarly books and articles.

A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. These sources are one or more steps removed from the event. Secondary sources may contain pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources.

Some types of secondary source include:  Textbooks; journal articles; histories; criticisms; commentaries; encyclopedias 

Online Resources for Articles

When researching World History topics, try some of the following databases for the most valuable information.  RESEARCH TIP: Check the FULL TEXT box to limit your results to articles with the complete text readily available.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR OFF CAMPUS ACCESS TO GALILEO


Journals & Publications

Open Source Resources

These academic journals do not require the GALILEO password for access.

Contact Us!

Sailboat Logo

Lanier Technical College Libraries

Marci Manglitz
Director of Library Services
Hall Campus

770-533-6968
mmanglitz@laniertech.edu

Min Su
Librarian
Forsyth Campus

678-341-6636
msu@laniertech.edu

Tina Jordan
Librarian
Dawson Campus

678-513-5221
tjordan@laniertech.edu

Jocelyn Deal
Librarian
Barrow Campus

770-297-4525
jdeal@laniertech.edu