USMA Library Homepage: Department of History: Tutorials and Graphics

Resources for American History - Tutorials and Graphics

The skills modules on the first tab are links to online tutorials about different topics. Each is only a few minutes long and can provide an introduction or instructions about research and library topics.

The interactive graphics on the second tab provide a unique way to learn about research skills and library resources.

View additional tutorials and graphics on USMA Library's Tutorials and Digital Learning Objects page.

Historical Research Questions and Thesis Development

Skills Modules
Interactive Graphics

Developing Historical Research Questions: Approximately 6 minutes
- Learn how to formulate an effective historical research question.
Developing a Research Question: Approximately 6 minutes
- Additional information about formulating research questions.
- Turn a topic of interest into a question.
- Write a research question that is clear, complex, focused, and researchable.
Developing a Thesis Statement: Approximately 4 minutes
- Learn how to turn your research question into a thesis

Finding and Citing Sources

Skills Modules
Interactive Graphics

Finding and Saving Resources in SCOUT: Approximately 3 minutes
SCOUT Filters: Approximately 5 minutes
- Locate the area on the USMA Library website where you can find various SCOUT filters
- Use filters to narrow your search results.
- Determine which filter to use to best narrow your results
Keyword Searching in the Library Catalog: Approximately 3 minutes
Databases: Approximately 3 minutes
- Learn how a database is different from the Internet
- Find and select Subject Specific databases from the USMA Library
Why Cite?: Approximately 6 minutes
- Explain why citing sources is a part of academic research
- Identify when a source needs to be cited
The Annotated Bibliography: Approximately 7 minutes
- Explain what an annotated bibliography is
- Describe the purpose of an annotated bibliography

Types of Sources: Scholarly vs. Popular, Primary vs. Secondary and More

Skills Modules
Interactive Graphics

Primary vs Secondary Sources: Approximately 5 minutes
- Explain the difference between primary and secondary sources.
Types of Resources: Approximately 3 minutes
- Identify and differentiate between various types of library resources, including books, journals, databases, and multimedia materials
.Peer Reviewed Articles: Approximately 6 minutes
- Explain why peer review is used in academic publishing
- Describe the steps of the peer review process