Study Abroad - Researching a Country



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Background | Books | Articles | Cite Sources

These sources are meant to help you compile a brief bibliography in support of your application for a study abroad program. There are many other ways of searching for country-specific information. If you need help click here.

FACTS, FIGURES, & OVERVIEWS

Reference Source	Access
CountryWatch 1993+ Click on Country Review, then select your country. In addition to statistics and brief overviews, use the Country Wire feature to browse through or search an archive of recent news stories.	click here
Europa World Year Book Good source of reliable statistical data.	ref JN 1 .E85 or click here
CIA World FactBook Good source of reliable statistical data.	click here
U.S. Department of State See especially "Background Notes" under "Countries & Regions".	click here

FINDING BOOKS ABOUT YOUR COUNTRY

Search in the Five College Library Catalog, using the SUBJECT BEGINS WITH search (not keyword). Current books are generally better than older ones for this project. Here are some examples of how you might search:

Italy - Description and travel
Education - Italy
Italy - Economic conditions
Italy - Guidebooks
Italy - History
Italy - Relations - United States
Italy - Social conditions
Italy - Social life and customs
Women - Italy

FINDING ARTICLES

For a few recent articles on the culture of your country search in databases such as:

Academic Search Premier 1965+
Humanities Abstracts 1983+

Social Sciences Abstracts 1983+

For recent news about your country search in:

LexisNexis Academic 1983+
For news in languages other than English select Non-English Language News.

CITING SOURCES

For help in how to format your bibliography, visit the Smith College Libraries' Style Manuals & Citation Guides page.

CONTACT A REFERENCE LIBRARIAN

For more help, see Need Help? Ask a Librarian.

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Last Updated: January 10, 2007