The Information-Literate Historian: A Guide to Research for History Students

In the past, historians could rely on their basic understanding of bibliographic tools to do effective research, as resources were primarily available in print, on microform, or at a library. Today, the information explosion resulting from access to the Internet has complicated traditional research methods by heightening expectations and raising new questions about retrieving, using, and presenting information.
The Information-Literate Historian is the only book specifically designed to teach today's history student how to most successfully select and use sources--primary, secondary, and electronic--to carry out and present their research. The book discusses:
* questions to ask before, during, and after the research process, as well as questions to ask about sources and their authors
* search strategies that can be used in both electronic and print indexes
* the various types of sources that are appropriate for specific research questions
* how to find and use books, journals, and primary sources quickly and efficiently, and how to select the best ones for a particular topic
* the ways in which historians practice their craft and the nature of historical discourse and narrative
* methods for finding, using, and evaluating such media as images, speeches, and maps
* guidelines for presenting historical research in different formats, including papers, oral presentations, and websites
Written by a college librarian, The Information-Literate Historian is an indispensable reference for historians, students, and other readers doing history research.

Jenny L. Presnell is at Miami University of Ohio.