ISTU 100: Introduction to International Studies: Start Here

Brainstorm ideas

Explore a Topic: inform yourself on the context of a topic using background resources. 

• Obtain definitions, historical context, factual information
• Become knowledgable about a subject to help find a focus

Next, search for books on your topic. Books, by nature of length, can provide depth and are helpful in narrowing a topic.

• Try KEYWORD and SUBJECT searching in the library catalog
• Examples: 
  • Korea AND history
  • Nepal AND (politic* OR government)
  • Congo AND (war OR violence OR conflict)

As you focus your topic, use databases to locate articles from scholarly journals and magazines

• Provides very specific research in the field
• Can lead to additional sources via the bibliography

News

• Current information
• Lead to additional sources of information (look for reports, data, organizations cited in the news article)
• Consider historical (older) articles primary sources of information that report eyewitness testimony

Statistics 

• A non-exhaustive list of US and international data sources provided on the Statistics tab
• Be aware of the data cited in the sources you read. Track down the original source of the information.
• Ask: who would want to know this information? Google that data type or search on a related organization's website.
  • For example:  Who knows about diamond production in Africa? Search for the top three diamond mining companies: DeBeers, Alrosa, and Rio Tinto. Consider organizations that report on conflict diamonds. Use these tips to evaluate what you find and consider if it is the best source.