Newspapers
Explore current issues and topical comment in news publications.
Go to: How can I use newspapers for my studies? | Finding newspapers online | Finding newspapers in print
How can I use newspapers for my studies?
Newspapers can be good sources of information for primary research in humanities and some social science subjects. They can also provide background or contextual information on other areas of research, science, and technology.
Important features of newspapers include their:
- currency / immediacy
- inclusion of eyewitness accounts
- ability to raise awareness
- commentary on topical issues
- reviews of books and contemporary culture
- obituaries of famous people
Disadvantages of newspapers include:
- a lack of peer review and fact-checking
- sensationalism and writing to sell copy
- bias and political agenda (from the writers or controlling interests)
- being written for a public, non-specialist audience
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Finding newspapers online
NUsearch (UK / China / Malaysia) provides links to current online newspapers in the UK, as well as international newspapers and historical archives.
Through NUsearch, you can also access a range of specialist databases that focus on news publications:
Gale Primary Sources
A primary source portal that provides access to a range of historical newspaper and periodical collections, including:
- The Times Digital Archive (1785-2019)
- The British Library Newspapers collection
- News material from the 17th into the 21st century
You can browse and search within specific collections or run a topic search across all available collections.
Nexis
A news and business research service with information ranging from the 1980s to the present.
- UK and US sources
- Good coverage of material in French, German and Spanish
Select the 'News' tab on the search page to search newspapers and similar publications.
ProQuest
Access to a range of news and current affairs databases including:
- Current international newspapers (e.g., the New York Times, The Washington Post)
- Magazines (e.g., Vogue, Country Life)
- Historical UK and international newspapers (e.g., The Guardian, The Observer)
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Finding newspapers in print
NUsearch (UK / China / Malaysia) allows you to search for newspapers in print and microfilm formats.
You can do this by selecting ‘Newspapers’ from the ‘All items’ drop-down menu. The search results page will show you which format the information is in.
Microfilm reproductions of full newspaper pages will need to be viewed using a microfilm reader, which can be done by visiting the library where the microfilm is held. There may also be help available from our alternative formats service (Disability Support referral required).
East Midlands Collection
The East Midlands Collection, overseen by Manuscripts and Special Collections at the University of Nottingham (UK campus), contains local newspapers from the eighteenth to the early twentieth century. While the collection is not complete, at least one title is available for most dates, and there is coverage for Derby and Leicester.
East Midlands Collection
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