HIS 131

Utilizing SPCC databases is an efficient way to ensure you are using credible sources for your research assignments! 

However, if you decide to also use sources from the internet, using fact-checking sites and the APPLY method to determine the credibility of a source is highly recommended. With all the half-truths, false claims and downright lies that circulate the internet daily, arm yourself with the ability to pause, stop and check for accuracy. Fact-checking is more important than ever!

• A-Z Databases

  An alphabetical and subject listing of recommended databases available from SPCC Libraries

• Instructions for Off-Campus Access to SPCC Databases

Use Boolean operators AND, OR, and NOT to narrow or broaden your search results.

• Use AND to:
  • Narrow your results
  • Inform the database that all search terms must be present in search results
  • EX: rivers AND conservation
    • Now your search results will be narrowed to only include items which discuss both rivers and conservation!
• Use OR to:
  • Broaden your results by connecting two or more search terms
  • Inform the database that any of your search terms can be present in search results
  • EX: rivers OR conservation
    • Now your search results will be broadened to include any items which discuss rivers or conservation!
• Use NOT to:
  • Narrow your results by excluding specific search terms
  • Inform the database to omit items from your search results which discuss specific search terms
  • EX: rivers NOT conservation
    • Now your search results will be narrowed to exclude any items which discuss conservation in association with rivers!

Fact Checking Resources: 

• Fact-checking journalism is the heart of PolitiFact. Their core principles are independence, transparency, fairness, thorough reporting and clear writing. Their goal is to give citizens the information they need to govern themselves in a democracy.
• Nonpartisan, independent and nonprofit, OpenSecrets is the nation's premier research group tracking money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public policy. Our mission is to track the flow of money in American politics and provide the data and analysis to strengthen democracy.
• Factcheck is a nonprofit “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. They monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases. Their goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding.
• When misinformation obscures the truth and readers don’t know what to trust, Snopes’ fact-checking and original, investigative reporting lights the way to evidence-based and contextualized analysis. Snopes always links to and documents sources so readers are empowered to do independent research and make up their own minds.