Ebsco's History Reference Center

by Colin Ford

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About Ebsco History Reference Center:

The Ebsco History Reference Center is a part of Ebsco itself, and can be selected alone or included with other Ebsco databases. The Ebsco History Reference Center is for all ages, and can be modified to include reading levels of: All, Grades 1-4, Grades 5-8, or Grades 9-12 in any combination. It is mainly used for researching things of the past, and finding materials referencing history and events, people, places, etc. of historical value.

Methods of Searching:

In the History Reference Center, you are able to search according to full text, reading level, timeline, U.S. history and world history, date, publication, peer reviewed, number of pages, and images. You are also allowed to search for related words, within the full article, and use "and" terms. You may search by keyword, subjects, publications, dictionary terms, and images or video.

Special Features:

The database allows you to save, print, e-mail, and add works to a folder. The folder can collect documents for you for ease of use later, much like a shopping cart in modern internet shopping sites. Ebsco also shows you how to cite your work for each article.

Alternate Sources:

Besides regular printed documents, the History Reference Center also lets you search for images and videos. The Reference Center's earliest primary source document dates to the 6th century B.C. The earliest American history primary source documents are from 1492. Being a largely historical database, there aren't many recent newspapers or magazines available.

Database Assistance:

The database includes a help section and a support site. If no results are found on a search it includes tips for you, and directs you towards hints. Also, it gives you a list of publications, subjects, and dictionary terms to help you. I believe this is a very comprehensive database, but possibly the interface and options could be made more user-friendly.

Uses:

The Ebsco History Reference center may be helpful in english, history, and even possibly science and art/music history.