Native American Studies Research Guide

This general research guide introduces users to resources pertinent to the study of Native Americans. It contains suggestions for locating books, articles, and research tools. If further assistance is needed, please contact Erika Castaño to arrange an appointment: ph 737-9688, Erika Castaño.

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Finding Books in Online Catalogs

OSU libraries Online Catalog: All formats of materials owned by OSU libraries are cataloged in this database, including books, government documents, videos, and journals to which the library subscribes. Note that online catalogs do NOT grant access to the full-text of articles within journals. You can search OSU libraries Online Catalog from any computer with Internet access at: http://oasis.oregonstate.edu.

Summit (Orbis): Connected to OSU libraries Online Catalog is Summit, the combined catalog of many academic libraries in Oregon and Washington. Materials in Summit are available to OSU students, faculty, and staff within 3 working days of an order date, provided they aren't checked out. You can extend your search from OSU libraries Online Catalog to Summit with the click of the "repeat in Summit (Orbis)" button, or connect directly at: http://summit.orbiscascade.org

Searching: Online catalogs generally are searched by author, title, subject, keyword, or call number. Subject searching is most effective when Library of Congress Subject Headings headings are used. The complete list of subject headings is located in the library's reference area; ask at the desk if you need help. Notice below that each record in the online catalog lists the subject headings assigned to that item; these headings usually are hotlinked to other materials on similar topics. Some examples of LC subject headings for Native American studies are:

Indians of North America Indian Women--North America Navajo Indians
Indians in Literature Ojibwa indians Indian Poetry

Locating by call number: As with most academic libraries, OSU uses the Library of Congress classification system to organize and arrange materials in the library. Most history materials fall into the "D", "E", and "F" call number ranges and are located on the 6th floor of The Valley Library. More specific groupings of materials include:

   DA - Great Britain                              DT - Africa
   DF - Greece                                       E - America/United States
   DK - Soviet Union                               F 1-975 - U.S. local history
   DS - Asia                                           F 1421-1577 - Central America

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Research Papers: Guides for Research and Writing

Research:

Writing:

Ask for copies of these style manuals at the Reference Desk.

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Background Information: Specialized Encyclopedias and Dictionaries

Encyclopedias:

Contents of subject encyclopedias are organized alphabetically and contain authoritative information on various topics. Overviews of current research and short bibliographies on specific topics also are included. Use them to discover, develop, and narrow topics for research papers.

Dictionaries:

Specialized dictionaries define terms, concepts, and jargon used in a particular field or subject, sometimes in extended entries.

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Dates and Events: Chronologies and Calendars

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Journals: Searching for Articles in Print and Electronic Indexes

Professional journals are an important component of scholarly literature on a specific subject. Usually, these periodicals contain articles that present detailed accounts of original research, supported with logical analysis and thorough documentation (charts, graphs, footnotes, bibliographies, etc.) They are essential secondary sources for in-depth research on a particular topic.

Key journals in Native American Studies to which the library subscribes include:

Current Articles:

  • Academic Search Premiere Full-text index to articles from 1250 general interest and scholarly journals.
  • America: History and Life
    Covers scholarly literature relating to North American history from prehistoric times to the present day. Covers over 2000 journals in 40 languages.

Older Articles:

Electronic journals

OSU Libraries online journals related to native american studies
These must be searched one journal title at a time, so this is not a very efficient way to search.

Unless you are interested in searching one specific electronic journal, it is recommended that you use a periodical index/database to do your searching. One advantage of electronic journals is that they are full-text online. This list is subject to change, and years of coverage will vary by journal.

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Primary Sources: Identifying and Locating Them

Primary sources are the original, first-hand accounts on a subject or event. They include letters, diaries, manuscripts, autobiographies, interviews, opinions, surveys, investigations, court testimony and depositions, and government documents. You may find primary sources by using books, bibliographies, newspapers, or periodicals. For a detailed explanation on how to locate and use primary sources, see Library Research Using Primary Sources, from UC-Berkeley.

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Book Reviews: Searching Print and Electronic Indexes

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Newspapers: Print, Film, and Digital

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Biographical Information: Print and Online Resources

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Statistical Information: From the U.S. Government and Elsewhere

From The Valley Library "Government Information" page, you can link to:

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Government Information and Legal Resources

Link to The Valley Library's Government Information page.

An important resource for finding historic government information in Native American Studies is: Guide to American Indian documents in the Congressional Serial Set, 1817-1899 : a project of the Institute for the Development of Indian Law

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Internet Resources

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Video Resources

The Valley Library has many videorecordings. Although the videos are cataloged in the OASIS system, you may also wish to browse the subject-based Web listing. The listing of Native American Studies videos can be found at: http://osulibrary.oregonstate.edu/video/nat.html

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Return to the Alphabetical or Subject index of the Subject Research Guides.