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.