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Global Studies Research: Global Studies Resources

Research tools and search techniques for customs, cultures, people groups and countries from around the world.

Global Studies & Missions Abroad Resources

GLOBAL STUDIES & MISSIONS ABROAD
 LIBRARY RESOURCES

Global Studies & Missions students can learn how to make use of the Robert L. Powell Library and its resources with the instructional videos found on the library web site under “Using the Library”. They may also learn how to make use of many of the databases listed below with our subscription to “Niche Academy” video tutorials.

The subscription databases, open access resources and web sites available through the Powell Library providing information related to various aspects of Global Studies & Missions Abroad are these:

  • Compare Countries (Britannica) -- Choose two countries and compare their country profile, geography, history, population, area, and other important facts in the form of statistical charts, maps, images, articles and related resources.
  • Countries, Peoples & Cultures (Salem Reference)
  • Global Issues (Gale In Context) -- Analyze important global issues and events.
  • Israel & Palestine (Salem Reference) -- Features important information on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine throughout world history.
  • Ukraine & Russia (Salem Reference) -- Includes People & Culture, Wars & Conflicts, Former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, Treaties and Alliances.
  • GeoNames Gazetteer -- Geographical database covers all countries and place-names and includes statistics and postal codes.
  • The GDELT Project  -- GDELT monitors the world's broadcast, print, and web news from nearly every country.
  • Association of Religion Data Archives -- Provides access to the best data on religion. The archive is a collection of surveys, polls, and other data submitted by the foremost scholars and research centers in the world.
  • World Factbook -- Provides information on the history, people, government, economy, energy, geography, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues for 267 world entities. The Reference tab includes maps of the major world regions, as well as Flags of the World, a Physical Map of the World, a Political Map of the World, a World Oceans map, and a Standard Time Zones of the World map.

A Research Guide for the Global Studies discipline has been prepared. It contains the above databases as well as information on Customs & Cultures; People Groups & Countries; Cultural Dos and Taboos; Missions Books Journals & Web Sites; TOEFL/ESL/EFL Resources; and Worldview Resources.

In addition, students may search the Discovery catalog to find millions of resources on Global Studies and related subjects. While the Powell Library will not have all the resources found, we do offer an InterLibrary Loan Service, which allows students to request needed items at no cost to them. The Powell Library also offers a Book Scanning Service, especially useful to Online students, for selected pages/chapters of a needed book held by the Powell Library. 

While TMU students cannot access other libraries’ subscription databases through the Powell Library, many university libraries and certainly all public libraries do allow locals to acquire a library card thereby granting them access to their respective collections.

Last updated September 2025.