LibKey Nomad
General Reference
A reference work can help you become acquainted with the literature on a topic if you are not aware of any works on your topic. The bibliographies of subject entries point you to the core work on a topic (as current as the publication of the book).
ADVANCED CATALYST SEARCH: Subject (contains) [general keyword] + bibliography
- Oxford Bibliographies This link opens in a new window
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(Searches through citations, subject indexing, and some full text)
This is a key starting place for research in several different fields, providing bibliographies on current scholarship on topics from the social sciences and humanities. - Oxford Reference Online This link opens in a new window
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(Searches through citations and the full text)
Search across all of Carleton's online reference sources from Oxford University Press, including dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, timelines, and quotations. - Cambridge Histories Online This link opens in a new window
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(Searches through citations and the full text)
An authoritative full text collection of the history of scholarship in several different academic subjects. Includes over 260 volumes published since 1960 by Cambridge University Press. - Reference Universe This link opens in a new window
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(Searches through citation information)
Searches the indexes of our library's print reference books. When you find an entry you'd like to read, click the "Locate this book" button or put the title of the reference book into Catalyst to find the book's location in the Reference Collection.
Background theoretical concepts
New Dictionary of the History of Ideas by Call Number: ONLINE and REF CB9.N59 2005Availability and more information from Catalyst...
Not sure who Spivak is, or where the idea of public sphere came from? Look here! Each volume opens with a "Reader's Guide" that provides a general outline of the articles in the set, divided into four main sections: "Communication of Ideas," "Geographical Areas," "Chronological Periods," and "Liberal Arts Disciplines and Professions."
- Critical Race Conversations, Events, Readings, Webinars (Carleton History Dept)A collection of readings and events about the history and legacy of racism, compiled by faculty in the Carleton History Department.
Three ways to find reference sources
1. Search REFERENCE BOOK TITLES in Catalyst
Facet: Collection = Carleton Reference Collection
2. Search REFERENCE ARTICLES in Catalyst
Facet: Material type = Reference Entries
3. Search REFERENCE ARTICLES in the database Reference Universe
- Reference Universe This link opens in a new window
- This link opens in a new window
(Searches through citation information)
Searches the indexes of our library's print reference books. When you find an entry you'd like to read, click the "Locate this book" button or put the title of the reference book into Catalyst to find the book's location in the Reference Collection.
Dissertations and Theses
Dissertations and theses are written by graduate students. While they have been approved by a committee of faculty, they have not been published by a commercial publisher. HINT: read their bibliographies first! Also remember that not all dissertations and theses have been (or can be) digitized; you may need to ILL them or go read them in person.
- ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global This link opens in a new window
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(Searches through citations, subject indexing, and some full text)
Find dissertations and some masters theses from universities in 88 countries. Most documents published since 1997 also include the full text. Covers 1861 - current.
NOTE: For international dissertations and theses not available through this tool, check CRL, and if they have the document you can order it through Interlibrary Loan.
- Dissertations Reviews (blog)Includes reviews of current dissertations and theses, written by other graduate students. Fresh from the archives section is invaluable for preparing for field work.
Genres of Reference Sources
BIBLIOGRAPHIES
Example: Academic Theories of International Relations Since 1945. Nick Rengger. 2011.
What is it? Brief articles, in addition to a list of the most important scholarly resources on specific topics.
Use for: Building annotated bibliographies. Doing a literature review. Starting a research paper.
Sample advanced search: Any field (contains) "international relations" + Title or series (contains) bibliograph* + Publisher (contains) university
HANDBOOKSISBN: 9780199235476Availability and more information from Catalyst...
Example: The Oxford Handbook of American Elections and Political Behavior. 2010.
What is it? Brief scholarly overviews of specific topics.
Use for: Helping you decipher scholarly articles or monographs. A starting place when starting research in a new area.
Sample advanced search: Any field (contains) United States politics + Title or series (contains) handbook + Publisher (contains) universityHISTORIOGRAPHY
Example: Vietnamese archives and scholarship on the Cold War period. Cold War International History Project. 1993.
What is it? A history of the history on a certain topic.
Use for: Situating yourself in the scholarly conversation.
Sample advanced search: Subject (contains) Historiography AND Any field (contains) "Cold war"
REVIEW OF THE LITERATUREExample: Discussions and Reviews : Cold War origins and the continuing debate: a review of recent literature. Graebner, N. A. Journal of Conflict Resolution. 03/01/1969, Vol.13(1), pp.123-132
Sample advanced search: Any field contains "cold war" AND Title or series contains ("review of recent literature" OR "review of literature" OR "review of the literature" OR "literature review")
Use for: Situating yourself in the scholarly conversation.
Extra pro tip: Try looking in the first or second chapter of dissertations! They nearly always include a literature review.
