Library Research Guides: POL3 221: World Politics: Start Here

How to Start

browse for topic ideas
get a quick overview from an encyclopedia before going deeper
find key further readings in the brief bibliography
use articles for finding specialized terminology, important names, and other sources

Political Handbook of the World
complete facts and analysis on each country's governmental and political makeup

Encyclopedia of International Relations and Global Politics
Also in print, Clapp Reference JZ 1160 .E53 2005.
Up to 2005, covers all aspects of global international relations and the contemporary discipline across IR's major subject divisions of diplomacy, military affairs, international political economy, and theory.
CIA World Factbook
Detailed profiles of all of the countries of the world, including history, people, government, economy, geography, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues.

Credo Reference This link opens in a new window
An interdisciplinary research tool that allows you to search over 300 reference works simultaneously, including limiting to audio or visual materials.
Oxford Reference Online This link opens in a new window
Full text of over 100 reference books in all disciplines published by Oxford University Press
Sage Knowledge Online This link opens in a new window
Search across more than 100 encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other reference works.

Critically Evaluating Your Sources

Here are some criteria to keep in mind when choosing and using both print and online sources:

Accuracy - What is the purpose of the document and why was it produced? Does the author cite their sources and are the sources legitimate?
Authority - Who wrote the source? Is the author credible? What are the author's credentials (educational background, past writing, experience) in this area? Have you seen the author's name cited in other sources or bibliographies? Who published the source? Is the publisher scholarly (university press, scholarly associations)? Commercial? Government agency? Is the source self-published (“vanity”press)? For online information, check the domain of the document — what institution publishes this document?
Objectivity - Does the author have a bias, political or commercial or persuasive?
Currency - Is this information new or based on outdated sources? Can you tell how current it is? How up-to-date are the links (if any)?
Audience - Who is the information written for: a specific readership, level of expertise, or age/grade level? Is the audience focus appropriate for a research paper?

Unsure about a source? Ask me!

Student Library Research Award

Win up to $1000!

These awards were created to reward those students who take the time to develop a thoughtful, methodical, and scholarly approach to the research needed for their papers and projects, as well as to encourage students to develop good research techniques.

Find out more at the
Student Library Research Award site