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This page is for students in the CSUSM Graduate History Program and supplements the research instruction provided in your earlier coursework. The content provided on thesis preparation is for information purposes and if your committee states otherwise, please follow their guidelines.
Graduate-level research in History is challenging in that the student needs to examine the entire range of historical evidence and analysis, while working in a topic area that has something yet to be discovered, but there is so much more! Research is only one part of the scholarly cycle and also requires adherence to the accepted citation conventions and adherence to the guidelines (read those as requirements) in thesis format, defense and submission.
History research and publication generally use the Chicago Manual of Style (15th ed., 2003) from the University of Chicago Press. If you are to use another manuscript/citation style, please contact the librarian or CSUSM Writing Center for help.
Publish, Not Perish Tutorial from University of Colorado
Practical Tips for Reading Critically-Academic Prose from UC Berkeley
While directed at graduate students and junior faculty working on their first scholarly manuscripts for publication and the review process, much of this site is useful for any scholarly communication planning.
A gentle reminder to read for purpose, not just to cover ground.Research-based and Anecdotal Tips for Improving Scholarly Productivity (University of Wisconsin)
CSUSM History Department Theses and Projects Standards and Guidelines
CSUSM Library Guidelines and Contacts
- Note: "Helpful Hints" link opens a Word document.
- Note: "Thesis Guidelines" opens a Word document--very helpful for the process overview!
CSUSM Office of Graduate Studies and Research
The Chicago Manual of Style (U of Chicago Press, 15th ed. 2003). Multiple copies at Z253 .U69 (some are older editions) in Reference, Research Help Desk and Reserves (HIST 301).
A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers (Turabian, 7th ed. 2007) CSUSM Library Copies LB2369 .T8 2007 in Checkout Desk (HIST 301 Reserves) and RESEARCH HELP DESK areas
Diana Hacker: Documenting Sources (using endnotes style, sample paper included)
Manuscript Format for Three Bibliographic Styles provides a comparison chart between APA, MLA and Chicago to see what margins, page numbers, etc. are required.
(Note there are two citation styles in Chicago, Author/Date and Note/Bibliography)
Chicago Manual of Style (15th ed, 2003) CSUSM Library Copies Z253 .U69 in BOOK STACKS and RESEARCH HELP DESK areas
Chicago Manual of Style Online (much of site requires a fee, but there are helpful extras for free. See the Student Guide section for help on all formats, including CMS's current treatment of websites.)
Turabian and Chicago Styles Citations (U of Berkely) offers a nice side-by-side chart of the notes and bibliography.
Chicago Manual of Style Citation Guide (Ohio State University Libraries)
Diana Hacker: Documenting Sources (her section on Chicago Manual of Style)
Using Chicago Style to Cite and Document Sources (Bedford's St. Martin's chapter specific to Internet sources)
Citing Electronic Information in History Papers (U of Memphis) created as Chicago has not published a new edition addressing electronic sources, this page provides recommended citation formatting based on existing Chicago rules.KnightCite (Calvin College) is a fill-in-the-box tool to create your citation for you. Use with care as it will not correct errors or misspellings you make and offers a limited number of options in resources.
Not as good as talking to your committee or your librarian, but helpful nonetheless.
Historian's Toolbox: Skills for History Majors
Reading, Writing, and Researching for History: A Guide for College Students (Bowdoin College)
Writing Guidelines: Tips and Pitfalls (Lewis and Clark College)
Oral History Evaluation Guidelines (Oral History Association, 2008--under review for possible revision)
Books at CSUSM
Of course, thinking about books opens the question to whether you can access materials during the summer when you may not be enrolled. Current library policy is that if you present documentation (a dated letter from a member of your thesis committee is best) that you are enrolling in the fall semester to continue your thesis work, privileges for continued access will be provided. If you enroll in Extended Studies for summer session, you are automatically granted library privileges. These include Circuit and Interlibrary Loan as well.
Writing history: a guide for students (REF D16 .S864 2004)
Feminist research practice: a primer (Stacks HQ1180 .H47 2007)
The information-literate historian: a guide to research for history students (REF D16.2 .P715 2007)
Navigating world history: historians create a global past (Stacks D21.3 .M285 2003 )
Journals at CSUSM
Do a GENRE search on "Electronic journals history" to retrieve all titles we have electronically-delivered full text
OR
A subject search on History--periodicals will return our general history paper-based journals
OR
A keyword search on your topic with the word history and then limit/modify the results to periodicals or internet source will retrieve a more specific set of sources.
Conferences
American Historical Association see also their Meetings and Seminars link
We'd like to hear from you!
Email us or call (760) 750-4348
