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LGBTQ+ Studies Research Guide

Welcome

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) studies is an emerging, rapidly-growing field of scholarship.  The sources listed in this guide offer an entry point to resources that focus primarily on various aspects of LGBT studies. However, because this is an interdisciplinary area of research, relevant materials can be found in a wide range of reference sources which do not have a LGBT studies focus.This guide provides access to a selected list of resources pertaining to LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and questioning) issues and interests and available through the University Library, and on the open web.

Rainbow flag breeze.

Wikimedia Commons, Rainbow Flag

Starting Your Research

The first step is to choose a topic. We recommend you consider the following:

  1. What topic are you interested in?
  2. If your topic was set by the instructor, what does your instructor want you to learn by doing the research?

Once the topic is selected, you should:

  1. Do a preliminary search for background information on the topic using a reference source, such as Credo Reference (Credo).
  2. Take note of significant people, places, events, etc. Consider why your topic is important to learn about today.
  3. Narrow your topic. Focus on the aspects that the paper will discuss.
  4. Create initial thesis statement.
  5. Search for scholarly articles (recently published academic research) that support your thesis. You can find them using library databases like Academic Search Complete (EBSCO) or JSTOR Arts & Sciences I-XV (JSTOR). 

Acknowledgment

This guide was created in consultation with Dr. Delgado, Assistance Professor of Sociology and the Diversity and Dialogue Working Group in 2018.