ENC 0010
Biographical Research Project
Prof Sherry Siler

Biographical Research


Assignment Overview | Research Evaluation Sheet | Web Site Evaluation Sheet

Getting Started in the Library | Books at PCC |  Electronic Resources | Internet Sites  

 

Getting Started in the Library

There are many resources for biographical research in the PCC libraries. The libraries have reference books, books to check out, magazines, journals, and newspaper articles, videos, and access to tons of Internet resources.

Take a few minutes to become familiar with the many resources available to you and your researching will go much easier. If you have any questions or problems (we all have technical difficulties) feel free to ask a librarian for assistance. 


Reference Books
You can find the titles (and others) listed below by using PCC's online catalog.

General Biography Reference Books

  • American National Biography
  • Dictionary of American Biography
  • Dictionary of World Biography
  • Encyclopedia of World Biography
  • Great Lives From History - American Women Series
  • Great Lives From History - Ancient and Medieval Series
  • Great Lives From History - Twentieth Century Series

 

 Special Topics

  • American Men and Women of Science 
  • Biographical Dictionary of Artists
  • Black Women in America
  • Contemporary Black Biography
  • Contemporary Musicians
  • Dictionary of Scientific Biography
  • Gay & Lesbian Biography
  • New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians
  • Notable Twentieth Century Scientists
  • Portraits of Pioneers in Psychology

 


PCC's Online Catalog
LINCCSearch

Locating biographies in LINCC
Search using "Subject Keyword" for a specific name, profession, geographic area,
or nationality followed by the subheading "biography"
Example: steinbeck biography
Example: scientists biography

Video Selections:
You can also search for biographical videos using LINCCSearch.
Select audio/visuals from the "Format" drop down list
Students may view videos in the library.

Databases - Electronic Resources
You can use PCC's many databases to find magazine, journal, & newspaper articles, electronic reference resources, and reviewed Web sites. Many of PCC's databases are available for use remotely (you can use these resources at home, in the TLCC, or anywhere you have Internet Access). These resources require your Student ID for logon.

"Borrower ID" is your PCC student ID number.

Electronic access to Reference Resources
 The Library provides electronic access to many popular print reference sources like Encyclopedia of World Biography, Current Biography, American National Biography...   Check the LINCCSearch online catalog for availability if you would like to use the print version of these resources.

Electronic Access to Newspaper, magazine, & journal articles


Remember, the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature and The New York Times Indexes are in the Reference Collection. If your are looking for older articles (interviews with astronauts, presidents, or what-ever...) you'll find the citations here. The library has back issues of Life, Time, The New York Times and many other periodical resources that you may find interesting and useful to your research.  Feel free to ask for assistance with these resources.

Internet Resources

Using an Internet search engine or directory such as Yahoo, Infoseek, or Alta Vista may lead to links for the subject of the biography.

A good search strategy is to enclose the name of the person in quotes and add the notation biography;
for example: +"Jane Doe" +biography.

Remember, don't believe everything you read on the Internet.
Carefully evaluate your Internet Resources.

Take a look at "How to Find Quality Web sites" for more information

and if you would like assistance - JUST ASK

 

This site was created by C. Fullerton- 10/2001
last updated 7/2006
send questions, comments & typos to cfullerton@polk.edu