Military Studies Resources

This guide is intended to assist students performing research in the area of Military Studies. It suggests using print and electronic resources available, but it is by no means a comprehensive list of all materials available in the library.

• Online Catalog
• Journal Articles
• Reference Materials

The Online Catalog is an excellent place to start your research. It will allow you to identify books in the Davis Memorial Library collection about your topic in Military Studies. The Online Catalog is available from any Internet accessible computer at http://davislibrary.methodist.edu/. Use the Keyword search to locate materials. Type in the concepts you are looking for, using "and" to combine terms (e.g. battle and plans).

Make sure that you have quotes around phrases and connectors ("and" or "or") between your search terms. If you still don't get the results you want, stop by the reference desk or give us a call at 630-7123.

Electronic databases are the best way to locate journal articles on your topic. Databases allow you to find recent articles on a topic or current issue. When finding electronic journal articles using a database, always write down the full citation to an article (author, article title, journal title, volume, issue, date, and pages). Consult the Journal Holdings List to identify which periodicals are owned by the library (print copies available in the library or on the web at http://www.methodist.edu/library/elect/jrnllist.htm).

Suggested databases for Military Studies research

Academic Search Premier
Academic Search Premier covers a wide variety of disciplines, and contains a cross section of scholarly journals, popular magazines, and newspapers. The database indexes over 8,200 publications, with full text for nearly 4,650 of those titles.

Military and Government Collection
"Designed to offer current news pertaining to all branches of the military, this database offers a thorough collection of periodicals, academic journals and other content pertinent to the increasing needs of those sites. The Military & Government Collection provides cover-to-cover full text for nearly 300 journals and periodicals. The database also includes full text for 245 pamphlets and offers indexing and abstracts for nearly 400 titles. Some publications covered in this database include are Air Force Controller, Army Reserve Magazine, Defense Studies, Global Security Review, Joint Force Quarterly, Military Technology, National Review, Defense, Combat Edge, FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, Foreign Affairs, Military Technology, Naval Forces, and many more. Many full text titles are available in native (searchable) PDF, or scanned-in-color ."

WorldCat
Use WorldCat to identify books on a particular topic. The database accesses library holdings from around the world, giving the user information about the book including which library or libraries own it. For titles the Davis Memorial Library does not own, inquire about interlibrary loan at the Circulation Desk. Please allow at least two weeks for delivery.

NetLibrary provides access to over 20,000 ebooks and audiobooks on a variety of subjects. Users can check out these ebooks for two hours and read these items online or download them onto their own computers. These online books include searchable text and printable pages (though the whole document cannot be printed).

Davis Memorial Library electronic databases are accessible via networked computers on campus as well as from off-campus. Please contact the library circulation desk (630-7645) for directions on obtaining a password to access the databases remotely (off-campus).

Reference Materials

Reference books can help you develop possible topics, begin your research, and find critical pieces of information to finish your project. Try some of the following titles for information: