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University Library

Native American Studies

The guide for researching Native American topics.

Where do I start?

Starting a research project can feel daunting, especially if you're not entirely sure what you want to research. If you're just getting started and looking for ideas or trying to understand your topic better, start by doing some background research. There are many great sources you can use to gather background information on your topic. 

It's important when doing a research project that you are familiar with the key issues, theories, and questions related to your topic. Browsing through reference sources can help you get a sense of the big picture of your topic and what kinds of things are being researched. Seek out what most interests or intrigues you, and think about your personal interests and how they might intersect with your topic. 

Browsing the Literature

Another good way to get an idea about what you want to research is to search for your topic in OneSearch and browse through the results. What kinds of books and articles have been written on your topic? You don't necessarily need to find specific articles at this point. Just see what kinds of questions researchers are exploring in your area. 

Search OneSearch

Use this form to search OneSearch. You can choose whether to search keywords, or look for a specific title, author, or subject term. You can also narrow down to the type of item you're looking for.

You may also want to browse through some scholarly journals dedicated to your topic. The library subscribes to a few journals in Native American Studies.