SEARCH TERMS: When you need information, you should make sure you are looking under the right subject. Using the wrong terms can waste time and prevent you from finding readily available materials. Both the library catalog and indexes use standardized terms that may not be the commonly used ones. If you don't find anything under the first term you used, try a variety of others. Look in the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) books for terms to use for the library catalogs. Some examples are:

LCSH

Diplomatic history

Diplomatic and consular service

Foreign relations

BACKGROUND MATERIALS: The first step in an information search is locating background and review materials. General and subject specific encyclopedias, subject dictionaries, handbooks and other reference sources provide you with an overview of a topic and list basic facts. They point to major elements and important scholars of a subject. This information can give you ideas on how to focus or "narrow down" your topic. These are located in the encyclopedia area and in the reference shelves. Some examples are:

 

Encyclopedia of American Foreign Policy	Ref. 327.73 E56
Encyclopedia of American Political History	Ref. 320.973 E56
The Annals of America	Ref. 973 A613
The Encyclopedia Americana.	Ref. 031 E56

BOOKS: The second step in an information search is locating in-depth sources. Circulating books usually have more recent information than reference sources and cover single subjects in detail. You can search for books by title, author or subject using LCSH terms in SIRSI, the online library catalog. See the SIRSI handout if a reference librarian is unavailable to show you how to use it. Each entry in the catalog will show you the book's subjects and call number. Remember that call numbers arrange books by subject so if you find a book that is on your topic and need more, browse the books in the same area. Examine the table of contents and the indexes to see if your subject is covered.

JOURNAL AND NEWSPAPER ARTICLES: The third step in an information search is locating current information. Newspaper and journal articles usually have the most current information available. Indexes and abstracts list articles by subject. Appropriate indexes are:

Wilson Select (Full Text)

PAIS International

Index to Legal Periodicals & Books

NewsBank (Full-text 1991-present)

New York Times (1994-present; current 90 days full-text)

Newspaper Abstracts (1989-present)

Keep in mind that journals and magazines vary in academic quality. If you need scholarly research materials, use the academic journals instead of general magazines.

FURTHER RESEARCH: The following Internet links may also be useful:
 

General Resources
Site:	Internet Address:
United States Diplomatic History	http://www.tntech.edu/www/acad/hist/diplo.html
United States Foreign Policy	http://library.lib.binghamton.edu/subjects/polsci/foreign.html
U.S. Department of State	http://www.state.gov/
U.S. Diplomatic History Resources Index	http://faculty.tamu-commerce.edu/sarantakes/stuff.html