HIST 221: North Carolina History (Thuesen)

This guide was created to gather subject-focused books, articles, and other resources to help you find what you need quickly. If you are new to the research process, the How Do I…? guide can help you develop and explore your research topic, learn more about searching the library catalog and databases, avoid plagiarism, and correctly cite your sources in your work. 
 

If you need more help, check the Research, Tutoring, & Writing Support tab to:

• Schedule a one-on-one research consultation with a Research Intern
• Schedule a one-on-one research consultation with a Librarian
• Make an appointment or view the drop-in schedules at the Learning & Writing Center for: 
  • Writing consultations including proofreading, help with citation, advanced coursework and independent study, senior theses, and creative writing 
  • Tutoring sessions with professional as well as trained peer tutors 
  • Time management and study skills instruction
  • Support for special academic needs

Sometimes, a structured approach to research can help to organize ideas and the way you think about information sources:

1. Explore topic basics (casual web searching and reference resources)
2. Background/history (library catalog and guides)
3. Current research (library databases: journal articles)
4. Support your argument (source citation)
5. Drafts & revisions (research librarians & learning commons)

It is useful to factor in what sources you have access to and how they might guide you in your research.  You may need to shift your focus as you delve deeper into your topic and find available sources.

• Is your selected topic one that has the type of sources required for the assignment?  If not, is there a way you might think creatively about your topic? 
• Are the sources you wish to use ones that you are able to fully study in the time you have to complete your research?
• Consider various types of sources.  Depending upon your particular topic, you may find oral histories, films, artifacts, photographs and other non-text sources worthy of close study.