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European History: Start with Tertiary (Reference) Sources

Start with Wikipedia

Reference - for background and context

First, you'll need to get an overview of your topic. A general or specialized reference source (an Encyclopedia, Almanac, or Atlas etc.) can be a great place to start. 

Consider your search terms carefully.  For example, try searching "Mao Tse Tung" in addition to Mao Zedong.

Search Across the Library Databases and Catalog

The Meadows School Search

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*Off campus access requires "Meadows Discovery Search" username and password found in our Google document, "2024-25 Off Campus Database Passwords." Searches will include search results from EBSCO's database, MEDLINE Complete if relevant.

Search the Databases for Reference Resources

If you're searching a database that contains many different types of materials (like ABC-Clio's World History or Gale's World History in Context), make sure to filter your results for REFERENCE articles.

 

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If you don't know how a particular scholar's vocabulary is being used or you need to check a quick definition, use our web-based dictionaries.

 

                   

Guide template courtesy of

Qi Huang, E-Resources Librarian at The Harker School