Books are a great resource to use when searching for general information on a topic. They are useful for understanding a topic in its context and provide summaries of existing research as well as offer a historical perspective.
Books are best found using the Search feature in our Library Catalogue.
In the Library Catalogue search for your topic and include one of the following words or phrases:
UTSC has developed an extensive list of primary sources online that will help give you an idea of where to look for your own primary sources!
If McMaster Library does not own a book that interests you, you can request it through RACER, our interlibrary loan system.
The FC Class is an independent schedule for Canadian history that was designed to operate alongside the Library of Congress Classification system. It was created to supplement Canadian history wherein Class F of the L.O.C. was lacking.
Subclasses that may be of interest to you include:
FC 161-177 General history
FC 615-629 Late 20th century, 1957-1984 (administrations)
For a good explanation of Primary Resources check out these links:
Here are some examples of Primary Sources from the Expo67 Collection belonging to Library and Archives Canada:
For a good explanation of Secondary Resources check out these links:
E-Books are examples of secondary sources. Since they are digitized, this part of the print collection can easily be accessed from anywhere using Off-campus Access and your Mac Id.
What?
Historiography examines a collection of historical writings on a particular topic and analyzes the different approaches to and interpretations of the topic. It also recognizes the major thinkers and arguments surrounding the topic as well as any major changes that have risen in approaching the topic over time.
Why?
Historiography operates as a dialogue between historians that emphasizes the main points of the discussion and informs the reader of the most important facets of the dialogue and in this way demonstrates the author's authority on the topic.
How?
It is important to become familiar with your topic on a broader scale. Your historiography should then establish and connect the major thinkers and arguments on your topic.
(adapted from: http://www.trentu.ca/history/workbook/historiography.php)