LibGuides: Social Studies Subject Guide: Palma Seminar

Database PASSWORDS

LOGINS & PASSWORDS

Click Here for the Passwords List. You'll need to log in as a Catlin Gabel student or employee. Having trouble? Contact your division librarian.

Search Skills: The Basics

Search Skills

Brainstorm a list of keywords and phrases relevant to your question, and include synonyms. Don't skip this step! Think about synonyms for your keywords and phrases.

Use quotation marks for exact phrases:

ex: "creation myth"
ex: "death penalty"

Wild cards find all versions of a word when added after the word's root:

ex: mortal* finds mortal, mortally, mortality, mortalities, etc.
ex: cost* finds cost, costs, costing, etc.

Start with a general search, and narrow it down as you look through your results.

Read abstracts when they are available. They're brief summaries of the contents of a long, complex article. Abstracts are hugely helpful. NOTE: A small percentage of articles in JSTOR include abstracts.

Need Help? Ask Sue, Dave or Derek!

Best Databases for Social Studies Research on Various Topics

ONLINE REFERENCE BOOKS

Oxford Reference Online This link opens in a new window
A useful, reliable database that provides fully searchable Oxford University Press books on a range of topics, including History. Very helpful for looking up factual, concise information on historical people, places, events, and concepts.

COUNTRY INFORMATION

BBC Country Profiles
A reliable starting point for quick, accurate information about the politics, culture, and economic situation in countries. Use the drop-down menus.

Business Source Premier (EbscoHost) This link opens in a new window
Country Reports provide detailed economic and political analysis of nations by private organizations.
CIA World Factbook This link opens in a new window
Use the drop-down menu on the right side of the screen to select a country. The data includes detailed information about the government, education, health, economics, religions, and political climate of each nation.

CURRENT EVENTS

Academic Search Premier (EbscoHost) This link opens in a new window
This is a multi-subject database with full-text articles on a wide range of subjects.
Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints This link opens in a new window
Good source of full-text magazine articles, book entries, and videos on controversial topics. Can be useful in establishing your position in a debate, or developing an opposing point of view.

ECONOMICS

Academic Search Premier (EbscoHost) This link opens in a new window
This database contains over 300 Economics journals, many with full-text articles.
Business Source Premier (EbscoHost) This link opens in a new window
Great source of country reports, business and economic information.
ABI Inform Collection (MultCoLib) This link opens in a new window
A useful database for business and economic research.

GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS
GovInfo
Use this governmental search engine to find the Congressional Record, information on Congress, lawmakers, Presidential documents, reports, and more. Try the Advanced Search.

JOURNAL ARTICLES

ABI Inform Collection (MultCoLib) This link opens in a new window
A useful database for business and economic research.
Academic Search Premier (EbscoHost) This link opens in a new window
This full-text database contains hundreds of history, political science, and economics journals.
Business Source Premier (EbscoHost) This link opens in a new window
Great source of country reports, business and economic information.
Gale in Context: US History This link opens in a new window
Full-text articles from published reference books, journal and magazine articles, biographies, and news stories on US History topics.
JSTOR This link opens in a new window
This database contains full-text articles from nearly 500 history journals, and provides strong coverage in economics, Women's Studies, political science, Latin American Studies, the Middle East, and more. Note that JSTOR is not the right choice for current events or recent events coverage, as its articles date back 5-7 years.

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

Gale OneFile: News This link opens in a new window
Fantastic access to hundreds of regional, national, and international newspapers in full-text. Formerly known as Infotrac Newsstand.
Newspaper Source (EbscoHost) This link opens in a new window
A strong choice for access to full-text articles from about 40 national newspapers, and many more regional newspapers..
New York Times This link opens in a new window
Start here to create your yearlong pass to the full text of the New York Times. Once you enter your email address, the NY Times will send an email verification to your Catlin.edu email account. Confirm, and you are all set!
Historic Oregon Newspapers (no login/password required) This link opens in a new window
Search 244+ of Oregon's historical newspapers for stories and images dating back to the late 19th century. A wonderful history resource provided by the Univ. of Oregon.
Academic One File This link opens in a new window
This is a big, multipurpose database with dozens of history and economics journals. It also includes the full text of the NY Times.

OREGON HISTORY

Oregon Encyclopedia This link opens in a new window
An authoritative and interesting database of articles, photographs, and other materials on Oregon's history. Assembled and maintained by the Oregon Historical Society.
Historic Oregon Newspapers (no login/password required) This link opens in a new window
Search 244+ of Oregon's historical newspapers for stories and images dating back to the late 19th century. A wonderful history resource provided by the Univ. of Oregon.

PSYCHOLOGY

Academic Search Premier (EbscoHost) This link opens in a new window
This is a multi-subject database with full-text articles on a wide range of subjects.
Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection (EbscoHost) This link opens in a new window
A selection of about 400 full-text journals on human development, behavior, addiction, and more.

GOOD ALL-AROUND HISTORY INFO

Academic Search Premier (EbscoHost) This link opens in a new window
This is a multi-subject database with full-text articles on a wide range of subjects.
Modern World History Online This link opens in a new window
Great source of published, reliable information on nations, politics, history, and major figures, from Prime Ministers to writers.
JSTOR This link opens in a new window
This is your first stop for most literary research. JSTOR contains full-text articles from hundreds of journals in literature, the arts, history, political science, and more.

STREAMING VIDEO

Swank Motion Pictures This link opens in a new window
Swank is our new streaming video service for classroom use. Teachers and student groups may use Swank for on-campus classroom and events showings, and teachers may share a link to Swank films for students to watch from home. Once you request a film, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LIBRARIAN to approve your request swiftly.

Your US Librarian

Sue Phillips

Email Me

Contact:

Upper School Library

503.297.1894 x4550 (circulation desk); (503)297-1894 x4100 (voicemail)

Social Studies Subject Guide: Palma Seminar

Palma Seminar: Resources for Research

Database PASSWORDS

Search Skills: The Basics

Best Databases for Social Studies Research on Various Topics

Your US Librarian