Roslyn High School Library
AP U.S. History - DBQ Research Project
Mr. Davis & Mr. Katovitz – Spring 2018
Examine allsources thatmay fit your topic until you collect all of the documents and information to write your DBQ response.
1. BOOKS
The library has many books that cover all periods of American history that are either entirely composed of primary sources on particular eras, themes, or subjects, and secondary source materials which may also include primary materials to illustrate the concepts.
A. Our books that are specifically primary source collections are marked with a white sticker near the call number that says U.S. History Primary Sources.
B. Use the library catalog linked to the library home page to locate other books, and browse the shelves. Call numbers for U.S. history are 973 to 973.999. Social, economic and political history can be found in the 300’s. Use the public library catalog ALISCAT to identify materials in the Bryant Library/Nassau public library system.
C. Check the Reference books sets indicated below in the low reference shelve area. They are among the MOST ESSENTIAL and BEST materials to use, so do not overlook them.
Dictionary of American History. Scribner, 2003. REF/973.02/DIC
Alphabetically arranged information about the facts, events, trends, and policies of American history, includes a selection of primary documents, photographs, maps, and cross-references in 10 volumes.
Encyclopedia of American History. Facts on File, 2003. REF/973.03/ENC
Alphabetized entries on American history in ten chronologically arranged time periods spanning the late fifteenth century to the early twenty-first; includes documents.
Annals of America. REF/973.19/ANN * EXTENSIVE PRIMARY SOURCES (also as database through Bryant)
Extensive collection of primary documentsin 22 volumes, arranged by date, relating to American history, from 1493-2001.
Milestone Documents in American History. Salem Press, 2008. REF/973.19/MIL * EXTENSIVE PRIMARY SOURCES
Primary sources arranged by date in 4 volumes.
American Decades Primary Sources. Gale. REF/973.91/AME * EXTENSIVE PRIMARY SOURCES
Contains primary sources on 20th centuryand 2000-2009, American history and culture, one volume per decade.
American Decades. Gale. REF/973.9221/AME
Explores American life and world eventsduring each decade of the 20th century, and 2000-2009, one volume per decade.
D.As the entire 11th grade is working on US history projects at this time,the library staff may keep other materials in the library and not allow circulation. Please plan to do research in the library.
For Authoritative Electronic Searching
BEGIN WITH YOUR HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY WEBSITE
2. Roslyn High School - US History Subscription Databases(includes primary sources)
Log on is automatic from school – user name & password is for remote access.
►Begin at HS Library home page
►Select Subscription Databases(left menu)
►Navigate to the lower part of the page to select RHS databases
- ABC-CLIO Social Studies Databases (User Name: rhslibrary Password: bulldogs)
- Facts on File Issues in American History (User Name: Roslyn Password: facts)
- Opposing viewpoints in Context (Gale) (mid page – no log in – geolocation in NYS)
Search your subjects and select results for primary documents or secondary background information.
Databases provide citation for all articles.
3. Bryant Library - US History Subscription Databases
Bryant library card # required for log in. Use your bar code or guest number 21490000000008, 21490000000009
►Begin at HS Library home page►Select Subscription Databases (left menu)
►Select Bryant Library # 1 Main Database Page
►Select electronic resources; find them listed in alphabetical order
- Annals of American History (eBook version of multi-volume print text in library)
- U.S. History in Context (searchesGale History ebooks & related references)
- Opposing viewpoints in Context (Gale)
- Historic New York Times 1851-2013 (Proquest Historical Newspapers)
(this is the ONLY way to access NYT historic papers; newspaper articles are primary sources)
4. EBOOKS
► Begin at HS Library home page (left menu) ►select eBooks ►select Salem Press
Password: bulldogs – to digitally access many of our excellent physical reference books
with primary sources
5. Websites – for primary and secondary historic and cultural links.
►Begin at HS Library home page: ►select Curated Internet Topics ►select Social Studies Resources ►selectAmerican History and American Studies
6. CITATION ASSISTANCE
You can create a perfectly formatted Works Cited page using the powerful tools now available to you. Use NoodleTools or EasyBib to add citations to your project page and print.
►Begin at HS Library home page:
►Select How Do I Cite Sources(left menu)
►Select NoodleTools (see information sheet to create account and use the program)
For this project – select Advanced level citation formatting
Instructions for setting up and using your NoodleTools account can be found on the
How Do I Cite Sources page as well. Please contact librarians for additional assistance.
- Databases provide citations for all articles. Citations can be copied and pasted into NoodleTools or EasyBib. GALE database will import citations into your NoodleTools project!
- Select MLA 8th ed. when you have choice. Where no choice is offered – assume MLA is used.
7. DISPOSITION - how you approach the task and carry it out
This is a paper for a college (AP) class. It is intended to challenge your mind and develop sophisticated research & analysis skills.
1. Begin immediately to give yourself proper time to research and analyze your documents. You will need the time allotted to you by your teacher to successfully complete this assignment. Ask for assistance as needed. We can point you in the right direction, demonstrate a particular skill and check your citations.
2. RHS Library has a great collection of books and targeted databases for this assignment. Give yourself a few periods in the library and time online with databases, andyou will uncover most of what you need.
3. The Internetis not great for random academic research. Sitting down at Google with no plan is like pulling any set of books off a shelf in the library expecting that what falls in your hand is the right thing. Use the databases and websites discussed.
4. Your teachers make the time for the librarian to address your class to inform you about the resources to use for your research. The onus is on YOU to examine them. Use the sheet to remind yourself of today’s lecture. I will answer questions when you have a working knowledge of your topic and can identify what you have already examined.
5. Library closing hours can change with absences and meetings beyond our control. Don’t count on the library being available for last minute work.
6. Keep a working bibliography,correctly formattedand alphabetized as you use books, databases and websites. It takes quite some time to create this from scratch at theend. This is a crucial part of your final product. Use Noodle Tools or Easybib to insure a perfectly formatted Works Cited Page.
There is no rewardfor staying up all night to finish on the last day.
DO IT now, complete it a few days early and create the best product you can.
Prepared by Mrs. Leon 2/2018
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