Skip to Main Content

History: Find Secondary Sources

History Scholarly Information Databases

Below are the key subject databases to search for journal articles, books, book chapters, and other publications on historical topics.  Many of the databases have full-text journal articles, but if the full text is not available, click on the Get Article link (Screenshot of icon OSU GET ARTICLE).  If another database from the OSU Library has the full text of the article, it will be displayed in a new window or a link to it will appear.  If an article is not available online from another database, you can get a copy of the article from interlibrary loan

You will need to log in with your OSU email address and O-Key password to access these databases off-campus.  Click here to log in.

For help with understanding some key concepts in historical methodology, such as What are primary sources? How can you use them in your research? Why are some historical documents archived and why did others disappear? Why does it matter today? Access:

Citing Help

General Databases

The following are general library databases with some full-text articles from journals and other periodicals covering many subject areas.  They are not specific to any one field, but are multidisciplinary and worth consulting along with the subject-specific databases listed above.

Finding an Article with Library Search

Finding a Book with Library Search

How to Read a Call Number

How To Use Interlibrary Services