Asian American Studies Research Guide: Introduction

History/Social Science Help Rooms for History and IAH Classes

Location:  Library and Neighborhoods

Drop in anytime between the hours of 3-9 p.m, Monday-Thursday, 2West Library (next to Photocopy Center)

Help with...

History specific skills, including:

• Reading historical and scholarly texts
• Taking and organizing notes
• Identifying topics for assignments
• Crafting thesis statements
• Developing and reviewing arguments
• Organizing contents and sections

Citing sources

Engagement Centers : Peer Research Assistants

Location : Neighborhoods (Brody 159, Holden C124, Hubbard 133, McDonel outside C105)

Drop in anytime (hours 6-9 p.m., Sunday-Wednesday)

For assistance with:

Research-related tasks, including:

• Navigating the library
• Finding primary and secondary sources
• Identifying appropriate sources

Connecting to subject specialists

Writing Center

Location:  300 Bessey Hall, Neighborhoods, Library, and Online

Drop-in, but appointments recommended

Library hours: 5-10 p.m., Sunday-Thursday

Services offered:

The writing process, including:

• Brainstorming
• Pre-writing
• Drafting
• Revising early drafts
• Reviewing later drafts
• Polishing

The MSU Libraries home page is your gateway to the extensive resources and services of the Main Library and its branches.  Search the online catalog or explore our electronic resources pages and discover online indexes, full-text journal articles, e-books, and much more.

Research Basic Modules.  (Note: Requires Adobe Flash Player.)  A series of Camtasia tutorials by Sara Miller to help undergraduates understand the basics of library research, including:

• Searching With A Purpose: Video Tutorial (5:25) : Learn how to select a research topic or inquiry and begin your search for information.
• Popular, Scholarly, or Trade?: Video Tutorial (3:57) : Learn the difference between popular, scholarly, and trade publications.
• Evalutating Information Online : Tips on how to critically examine a web site and how to evaluate authority, accuracy, currency, and other criteria.
• When Do I Cite?: Video Tutorial (2:13) : What is plagiarism and when do you need a citation.
• The Anatomy Of A Citation: Video Tutorial (4:47) : Learn how to identify the different parts of a citation.
• Citation Management Tools: Brief overview of software that helps to organize and manage citations.
• Keeping Up With the Literature in Your Field

More Guides and Tutorials

Citation Guides and Generators.

How to choose the best indexes/databases

The Information Cycle : How Today's Events Are Tomorrow's Information.  Based on Columbine School Shooting Incident, April 20, 2001.  Rebecca Bichel and Debra Cheney, Penn State University.

MARS : the MSU Article Retrieval Service.  This new service provides copies of non-electronic journal articles and individual book chapters that the MSU Libraries own to MSU faculty, staff, and graduate students for personal research.  If the article cannot be scanned, a photocopy will be sent.  Allow two to three days for delivery.

Writing in Anthropology : Practical advice from the University of North Carolina Writing Center.  Don't forget that MSU also has a writing center that can provide assistance.  Or talk to your teacher.

Writing in History : Practical advice from the University of North Carolina Writing Center.  Don't forget that MSU also has a writing center that can provide assistance.  Or talk to your teacher.

Writing in Literature : Practical advice from the University of North Carolina Writing Center.  Don't forget that MSU also has a writing center that can provide assistance.  Or talk to your teacher.

Writing in Political Science : Practical advice from the University of North Carolina Writing Center.  Don't forget that MSU also has a writing center that can provide assistance.  Or talk to your teacher.

Writing in Religious Studies : Practical advice from the University of North Carolina Writing Center.  Don't forget that MSU also has a writing center that can provide assistance.  Or talk to your teacher.

Writing in Sociology : Practical advice from the University of North Carolina Writing Center.  Don't forget that MSU also has a writing center that can provide assistance.  Or talk to your teacher.

Confused? 

Try the MSU Library Ask a Librarian Service.