Homework & Research->Homework Help->Geography->Sample Research Topic

Question: How do I research different countries, places or ethnic groups?

The library system has a variety of reference books providing information on these related topics. Most are found in the 305.8 (racial & ethnic groups) and 903 (histories of cultures and world history) Dewey areas. Different sources have their own strengths; this guide will lead you to a number of valuable resources, both online & in print.

General Resources
CultureGrams (r306.08 C899)is a two volume resource that describes each country’s people, customs, history, economy and more in a concise format.

Europa World Year Book (r341.184 E89) is a two-volume set with information on a country’s recent history, economic affairs, education, government and trade. An unusual feature of this resource is the directory providing contact information for political and religious leaders and organizations, newspapers, embassies, publishers, and tourism offices. You can also find results of the latest election and an overview of the judicial system.

For information on religious and ethnic minorities use World Directory of Minorities (r305.8 W893 1997). The aim of this resource is to promote an understanding of the roots of conflicts that have arisen between minority and majority populations. The directory is organized geographically into 11 regions. Country entries are arranged alphabetically within these regions. Information on languages, religion, and population statistics are presented for each country. An unusual feature of this resource is that the maps are based on the Peters projection (keep reading for an explanation of the Peters projection).

The Peters projection world map is an area-accurate map that was first introduced by historian and cartographer Dr. Arno Peters in Germany in 1974. The Peters map shows all areas, whether countries, continents, or oceans, according to their actual size and makes accurate comparisons possible. All North-South lines run vertical on the map, and all East-West lines run parallel. Thus viewers can see geographic points in their precise directional relationship and their distance from the equator.[1]

Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life (r305.8 W8931)contains articles exploring the ways of life of over 500 cultures arranged in four volumes by geographic regions. Culture groups follow alphabetically. The Country Index, glossary and general index provide quick access. Also, don’t miss the companion volumes Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations (903 W893) and Worldmark Encyclopedia of National Economies (r330.9 W8932).

For a unique look at cultural dos and don’ts to help travelers avoid pitfalls use Countries and their Cultures (r306.03 C832)which focuses on the cultures of 225 countries, the values and behaviors that are shared, as well as those which vary by ethnic group.

Craighead’s International Business, Travel, and Relocation Guide (r910.202 D628) is the set to consult when you decide to spend some time in another country – either for school, retirement or for a job. This 4-volume set explains everything from county/culture-appropriate gestures to finding a home, selecting a school and other everyday living conditions.

Information on Specific Cities
Do you need information on a specific city?

TryEncyclopedia of World Cities (r307.76 N373e)andEncyclopedia of Urban Cultures: Cities and Cultures around the World (r307.76 E5601) address critical contemporary issues and problems ingrained in urban culture as well as up-to-date information and statistics concerning nearly 240 major world cities.

You may also want to look for resources that focus on specific geographical areas and cultures suchas:

Almanac of African Peoples & Nations (r305.8 Y11aL)
The Muslim Almanac: A Reference Work On The History, Faith, Culture, And Peoples Of Islam (r297 M974)
Fragments of a Golden Age: The Politics of Culture in Mexico Since 1940 (r972.082 F842)

Hint: Try combining the phrase popular culture with a specific county or region in a keyword catalog search.

For information onlocal government, political parties, legal systems, defense tryEncyclopedia of the World's Nations (903 K965e), which surveys 190 countries, and provides a broad range of information including economy and historical timelines.

TheGrolier Global Studies Libraryis somewhat dated but is still worth a look. This 8-volume set has separate volumes for Africa, China, and India & South Asia.

The International Dictionary of Historic Places (909 I611) set is designed to provide detailed information on places that have been the site of important events in human history and that have been preserved for the benefit of future generations. The volumes include cities and towns, battlefields, archaeological sites, and museums around the world.

Online Materials
The library subscribes to some online databases that lend themselves to this topic including CQ Researcher and TopicSearch. Keyword searching in all three databases is your best bet.

CQ Researcher has reports like Japan in Crisis, Emerging India, and Rebuilding Iraq. CQ is a full-text weekly publication covering the most current and controversial issues of the day with complete summaries, insight into all sides of the issues, bibliographies & more. This is a great resource for students – especially for research papers and debate topics.

TopicSearch is a current events database for articles on social, political & economic issues, scientific discoveries and other popular topics. In the Advanced Search section you can limit to current events like the Middle East Crisis and Afghanistan, and broad topics like Ethics, Human & Civil Rights and Multiculturalism.

TopicSearch and CQ Researcher are available outside the library with your valid library card.

Government Documents
There are numerous government documents you will want to check on as well. The library’s award-winning Government Documents website includes a Country Information FAQ. Use this page to access links to half a dozen online sources of country information published by the U.S. Government Printing Office.

If TCCL doesn’t have books and other materials you need for your paper you can Interlibrary Loan them, which means we borrow them from another library system for you. If you choose to do this, request the materials as soon as possible because it sometimes takes several weeks for them to come in.

Once you have all the materials for your paper, it’s time to start writing. If you need some help the library has many writing manuals; the Primary Source Page lists a few of them and there are several Writing pathfinders you might find useful as well.

If you have any questions, contact the AskUs Services or your local library!

[1] Hawkins, Jeffrey M. Lesson Ideas for Using Conflicting Maps.Social Studies, Jan/Feb2003, Vol. 94 Issue 1, p41. Retrieved 27 October 2003, from MasterFile Premier.