• Seven Steps Research Strategy | Reference Books
• Articles and Other Documents
• Web Sites

 

Seven-Step Strategy for Model UN Research

1. Familiarize yourself with the country that you are representing
2. Gather background information on the United Nations Organization
3. Gather background information on the assigned issues
4. Review speeches at the UN by the country's representatives
5. Review policy statements from the country's political leadership
6. Study the texts of resolutions sponsored by the country
7. Develop an understanding of the country's voting pattern

 

Reference Books

The Library has reference books to provide background information on the United Nations or particular countries. Reference books are for in-library use only. However, GCC students, faculty, and staff can access reference E-books from off-campus.

• Countries of the World and Their Leaders Yearbook
  (REF DESK 909.05 C855)
• Encyclopedia of Historical Treaties and Alliances
  (REF 341.3709 P558e)
• Encyclopedia of the United Nations
  (REF 341.2303 M822e)
• Encyclopedia of World Cultures
  (REF 306.03 E56)
• Great Debates at the United Nations: An Encyclopedia of Fifty Key Issues 1945-2000
  (REF 341.23 G671g)
• Historic Documents of 2002
  (REF 973.31 H673 2002)
• Historical Dictionary of Multinational Peacekeeping
  (REF 341.58 M474h)
• The Statesman’s Year Book
  (REF DESK 320.03 S797)
• The United Nations System: A Reference Handbook
  (E-book; access via GCC Library Catalog)
• World Book Encyclopedia
  (REF 031 W927 2008)
• Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life
  (REF 305.8003 W927)
• Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations
  (REF 910.3 W927 2001)

 

Locating Articles and Other Documents in Online Databases

Databases contain journal, magazine, and newspaper articles, as well as articles and essays from reference sources. Guides for using GCC's databases are available online or at the reference desk in the library. In addition, reference librarians are available to assist with questions as well. The following GCC Library databases are useful for locating information on the United Nations and various countries:

• CountryWatch
• Encyclopedia Britannica Online
• LexisNexis Academic
• ProQuest

 

Web Sites

Some helpful web sites include:

Model UN Sites

Model United Nations of the Far West

Conference information for Model United Nations students.

Model United Nations

The UN's own Model United Nations web site.

Model United Nations Web Site at GCC

This site was created by GCC Political Science faculty for students enrolled in Political Science 108 and 112.

Model UN Preparation Guide from UNAUSA

Covers a research overview, position papers, public speaking, rules of procedure, caucusing, resolutions, and dressing for success.

 

United Nations Sites

United Nations Web Site

The home page and directory for the United Nations. Go to "About the United Nations" to view the UN charter, structure, and more.

United Nations Documentation: Research Guide

Provides an overview of United Nations documents and publications as well as guidance on working with them.

United Nations Bibliographic Information System (UNBISnet)

A catalog of documents and publications (bibliographic records) from the UN Library, including some commercial and non-UN publications. Coverage is from 1970 onward and includes some full text resources. You can also search Voting Records and an Index to Speeches.

UN Data

Provides statistical information on topics as diverse as birth rates, AIDS cases, youth employment, etc.

Permanent Missions of the United Nations

The links and pages on this site were chosen "on the basis of their particular interest for daily activities of the diplomatic community in NY." Search here for your country's UN representatives as well as their policy statements on various topics.

United Nations Scholars' Workstation

A collection of texts, finding aids, data sets, maps, and pointers to print and electronic information covering such subjects as disarmament, economic and social development, environment, human rights, etc.

 

Country Information Sites

 

 

Nations of the World

This site is from the Library of Congress and provides information on countries that includes Constitution, Executive, Judicial, Legislative, and General Sources.

Portals to the World

Another Library of Congress site that provides links to electronic resources for countries around the world.

CIA World Factbook

Provides information on countries including Geography, People, Government, Economy, Communications, Transportation, Military, and Transnational Issues.