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Ethnic Studies: Choose a Topic

Using Reference Material

You may need to find statistics and other reference data for your work in the Ethnic Studies program. Reference materials can help you find a paper topic, can help you generate keywords for your search, and helps to definite technical or unknown terms. 

On this page, you will find:

  • A listing of reference sources that pertain to Ethnic Studies that are held in Joyner Library
  • How to use Credo Reference to help develop your research topic

Using Credo Reference to Start your Research

Credo Reference is a database that Joyner Library has access to that will be of great use to you as your start your research. The database includes many reference books like encyclopedias, dictionaries, and more. Two other things that will be helpful in coming up with keywords and ideas for your research are their mind maps (pictured below) and their pro/con research tools, which shows both sides of current issues.

To use Credo Reference to develop your topic, you may want to try:

  • Read short encyclopedia entries on topics related to your field of study (search: ethnic studies, abolition, indigenous peoples, etc.)
  • Search in the mind maps for keywords and related terms that might help you
  • Look at the Topic Pages for more information 

Here is a video that shows you how to use the Credo Mindmap, as well as a link to a mindmap about indigenous peoples.

And here is a search box to search for items in Credo on the topic of African American Studies:

Credo Logo


Reference Materials