Websites
Find It on the Web
Check out this list of websites containing an eclectic array of relevant information.
Always be cautious when using sites from the open internet, and be sure to read websites critically.
How Google Search Works
Suggested Websites
- American Studies Association
The American Studies Association promotes the development and dissemination of interdisciplinary research on U.S. culture and history in a global context.
- American Studies Graduate Programs Nationwide
Compare and contrast at GradSchools.com.
- Encyclopedia of American Studies
… The Encyclopedia of American Studies covers the history, philosophy, arts, and cultures of the United States … from various perspectives and the global American Studies movement.
- The Futures of American Studies
The Institute was designed to provide a shared space of critical inquiry that brings the participants’ work-in-progress to the attention of a network of influential scholars.
- History Matters
Designed for high school and college teachers and students, History Matters serves as a gateway to web resources and offers other useful materials for teaching U.S. history.
- Library of Congress: Digital Collections
The Library of Congress curates a wide array of digitized materials, including rare items unavailable elsewhere. Their content includes books, maps, motion pictures, sound recordings, and websites.
- National Archives
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the nation’s record keeper. Of all documents and materials created in the course of business conducted by the United States Federal government, only 1%–3% are so important for legal or historical reasons that they are kept by us forever.
- NWOSU Institute for Citizenship Studies
An institute, associated with the Department of Social Sciences, to promote research and maintain an archival collection.
Read Websites Critically
Anyone can publish anything on the internet.
Use the Spider Method to ensure that your internet sources are appropriate for your research.
- Source
Who wrote the information? Is he qualified? If you can’t find an author, you shouldn’t trust the information until you verify it elsewhere.
- Purpose
Why does this website exist? Is it intended to sell a product or convince readers of something? Can you detect any bias?
- Information
Is the information current? Check for a publication date. If there isn’t one, you need to verify currency with another source.
- Domain
Be aware of the host site. Is the domain .edu or .gov? These domains sometimes have more authoritative or reliable information.
- Educational
Who is the intended audience? Is there adequate depth to the information? Are you sure it’s not a hoax site or satire?
- Reliability
Is the same information available on other websites? Triangulate with other sources to improve the chance of getting complete or accurate information.