Skip to Main Content
Lewis A. Jackson Library at Indiana Wesleyan University
Indiana Wesleyan University – Christian University and Christian College

LEWIS A. JACKSON LIBRARY

Lewis A. Jackson Library
  • HOME
  • CATALOG
  • DATABASES
  • RESEARCH GUIDES
  • JOURNAL LIST
  • HELP
  • DATABASES
  • INTERLIBRARY LOAN
  • JOURNAL LIST
  • PRINT ACCOUNT
  • RESEARCH APPOINTMENT
  • RESEARCH GUIDES
  1. Jackson Library
  2. Research Guides
  3. Jackson Library -- Research Guides
  4. Guide to Historical Research
  5. Getting Started with History Research

Guide to Historical Research

  • Getting Started with History Research
    • Getting Started...
    • e-Reference Books
    • Print Encyclopedias
    • Bibliographies
    • Subject Headings to Search By
    • Other Resources
  • Finding Books
  • Finding Articles
  • Finding Primary Sources
  • Historical Speeches
  • American Constitutional History
  • American Antiquarian Society (AAS) Historical Periodicals Collection

Contact Us

If you need assistance with your research, please feel free to contact a Reference Librarian.

  • Ask a Librarian
    Email, phone and hours of operation info for Jackson Library's Reference desk.

Credits

Special thanks to Milne Library, SUNY Geneseo for sharing these resources and guide.

Getting Started...

Use the sources below to jump-start your research.  Be sure to check out the bibliographies and footnotes within each item.

e-Reference Books

  • Oxford Reference Online
    Search for articles by keyword or go to Subjects>History to view all history reference books available
  • Credo Reference
    Search hundreds of reference books by keyword or click "Find a Book" > "History" to select a specific book.

Print Encyclopedias

Search the Library Catalog to find encyclopedies relevant to your topic.  Using the Advanced Search, limit the "Location" to "Reference" and search. Or browse the Reference Collection in the 900's.

Bibliographies

  • The American Historical Association's Guide to Historical Literature by Editors Mary Beth Norton, Pamela Gerardi
    Call Number: REFERENCE 016.9 AM35N
    ISBN: 0195057279
  • Harvard Guide to American History, Volumes I and II by Frank Freidel (Editor); Richard K. Showman (Assisted by)
    Call Number: REFERENCE 016.973 H192H
    ISBN: 9780674375604
    Publication Date: 1974-01-01

Subject Headings to Search By

To identify the Library of Congress subject headings for your topic, identify relevant subject headings by looking at the catalog record for books that you have found useful.  You will find these as links next to the word "Subject."

Or search a larger library database such as WorldCat.org.  When you find a relevant book, look at the "Subjects" listed under "More Like This."  These are actual Library of Congress Subject Headings.

 Or consult the "red volumes" available at the Reference Desk or search online at: Library of Congress Subject Headings

Other Resources

  • United States History: a Selective Guide to Information Sources by Ron Blazek and Anna H. Perrault.
    Call Number: E-Book or REFERENCE 016.973 B614U
    ISBN: 0872879844
  • Reference Sources in History : an Introductory Guide by Ronald H. Fritze
    Call Number: REFERENCE 016.909 F919R
    ISBN: 0874368839
  • Resources for College Libraries by Marcus Elmore (Editor)
    Call Number: REFERENCE 025.2 R312 v.3
    ISBN: 0835248550
  • Next: Finding Books >>

Quick Links

Library Hours
Reserve Study Room
The Ink Well
My Library Account
My Interlibrary Loan Account
TLC -- The Learning Center
 

Connect With Us

Chat with a Librarian
Facebook
Instagram
Research Appointment
Indiana Wesleyan University - Jackson Library
Lewis A. Jackson Library
4201 S. Washington St.
Marion, IN 46953
765-677-2184
Directions
Indiana Wesleyan University - Jackson Library

Lewis A. Jackson Library

4201 S. Washington St.
Marion, IN 46953
765-677-2184
Directions

Library Services

Research Help
Circulation
Faculty
Media
Research Guides
FAQ