LibGuides: MIDP Master's Projects: Background Sources

How to Use this Guide

This guide suggests resources--reference books, library databases, search engines and web links--to use for researching your Master's Projects. Use this table of contents or click on each tab to see each page.

Background Sources
for background of the problem or issue
Strategies
research strategies for finding the best sources and using your time efficiently
Countries
for background and socioeconomic data on specific countries
IGOs & NGOs
for identifying intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and their publications and documents
News Sources
for searching US and international newspapers efficiently
Think Tanks
A search engine for identifying think tank publications with research and analysis on your issue

Reference Resources for Background

CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window
Reports on issues shaping our world, with in-depth coverage of political and social issues, such as health, education, the environment, technology, and the U.S. economy.
Gale eBooks This link opens in a new window
Search encyclopedias, almanacs and specialized reference works in diverse subjects
Oxford Reference This link opens in a new window
Search encyclopedia and dictionary entries on wide range of academic disciplines
SAGE Knowledge This link opens in a new window
Provides access to ebooks and reference books published by SAGE covering the social sciences and education.
SAGE Research Methods This link opens in a new window
Search across reference entries related to qualitative and quantitative research methods used in the Social Sciences

Reference Books

Save time by first getting a thorough overview of the issue. Look in these reference sources for key terms, people, places, dates, events--and of course for related sources in their bibliographies.