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Spanish251: Exploración del mundo hispano

Resources for country/culture portfolio assignment

Database Research

What Is Your Information Need?

As with any research project, the first step is to identify the kind of information you need. Knowing what kind of information you need will help you plan your research and look for relevant sources.

For your culture project, you'll be assigned a Spanish-speaking country and then you'll choose a topic to research related to that country. You are required to use at least three reliable sources, and one of those sources must be in Spanish.

Starting Your Research

Gathering background information about your country is an important first step. This will help you understand the key facts and main issues related to your assigned country.

  • Try one of the eBook databases listed below to find broad information about your country.
  • Start your search with the name of your country. Use the database search strategies listed below to help you continue searching.

Database Search Strategies

Our databases contain many types (formats) of information. In addition to eBooks, you can also locate popular and scholarly articles, primary sources, news articles, videos, statistics, and more. 

These search strategies can help you in any database you use.

  1. Search with specific keywords (not questions or long phrases).
  2. Search 2-3 keywords at a time (Argentina and holidays). Each keyword you add will reduce your results.
  3. Use quotation marks around words you want to search as a complete phrase ("Plaza de Mayo").
  4. Limiters: always use the Full Text limiter.

Try one of the article databases listed below.