Research Guides: HIST 212: History and Geopolitics of Energy in Eurasia: Other Primary Sources: Interviews, Newspapers, Documents

Where to start?

Consider the types of sources your topic will require. Look at our full primary source database list and narrow from there.
Look at the Secondary Results from earlier. Limit the publication range to your time period of interest.
Pay attention to the primary sources being cited in your secondary sources.

Language has changed over the centuries, and of course between countries.
Most primary source databases will have "thematic" filters to get you started. Before keyword searching, start there. See what curated documents come up. From those documents, see what terminology is being used by contemporaries.
Begin with basic searches and do not be too complicated. DO NOT USE TOO MANY TERMS AT ONCE
Be sure to use period-specific language.
Do NOT search a bunch of terms. This will give more, not less, false its.
Pick keywords carefully -- remember that words and their meaning change over time
- Example. Do I mean European Union or European Atomic Energy Community or ECC
Use the database limiting tools (publication date, place of publication, etc) to limit results. Do this instead of adding more search terms.
Use boolean (and or not) to make the best searches.