Research Guide for English 102: Immigration and Identity
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Prepared by Elinor Appel NSCC Library (this will open in a new window) Image source: US Immigration: A Reference Handbook (2004) |
Books
Reference Books - use these books for background information and to look up specific topics. Reference books vary in their approach and content, so consider which angles are appropriate to your research. Some examples:
- American Immigrant Cultures: Builders of a Nation, 2 vols. [Ref E 184.A1 A63448]
- Encyclopedia of Multiculturalism, 8 vols. [Ref E 184.A1 E58 1994]
- The Oxford Companion to American Law [Ref KF 154.)96 2002]
Circulating Books - use these books to find more in-depth information on your topic.
Refer to Finding Books for tips on searching the catalog using keywords and subject headings. Click on the subject headings you turn up to find more books on your topic. Examples of the range of subject headings you may find:
- Emigration and immigration -- Social aspects
- Illegal aliens -- United States
- Immigrants -- History
- Immigrants -- United States -- History
- United States -- Emigration and immigration -- Government policy
Once you find a title or two in the catalog, locate them in the circulating collection upstairs and then browse the shelves in that area for more books on your topic.
Refer to Finding Articles for tips on how to search a periodical database using keywords and topics. Remember to "talk to the database" using Boolean logic or other search symbols. Also consider your keywords, for instance: "illegal aliens" versus "undocumented workers."
- and – for combining concepts/keywords, will narrow the search: immigration and law
- or – when you are using related terms, will broaden the search: law or constitution
- “ ” – when you are using a phrase: “illegal immigration ”
- * – when the terms have related stems: immigra* for immigration, immigrants, immigrant, etc.
- ( ) – to organize your search phrase: immigra* and (law or constitution)
Good periodical databases for your research are:
- ProQuest - general database with articles ranging from news to scholarly
- Academic Search Premier - another general database with a range of articles
- Ethnic NewsWatch - articles from ethnic, minority, and native press
Good reference databases for your research are:
- CQ Researcher - weekly reports by Congressional Quarterly
- History Resource Center: US - reference and periodical articles related to US history
- Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center - provides a variety of resources on controversial topics
Refer to Searching the Internet for tips on searching the Internet effectively using Google. Simply limiting your search by domain (site:edu or site:gov) is often a good way to start.
Annotated Bibliographies
- Annotated Bibliographies, Owl Writing Center at Purdue University
- How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography, Cornell University
Immigration & the Law
- Code of Federal Regulations, Title 8: Aliens and Nationality - from the National Archives and Records Administration
- Immigration Law Center - free portion of for-pay legal resource findlaw.com
Immigration Issues
- Contemporary Perspectives on Immigration - article blog from the University of Minnesota Libraries
- Minutemen: The Immigration Debate - from New Mexico PBS via YouTube
- Pew Research Center: Publications on Immigration - nonpartisan reports and research from this public-opinon "fact tank"
- Public Agenda: Immigration - nonpartisan articles and research
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