This guide is an introduction to the research process that, while not being an exhaustive list of information resources available, should be helpful in getting started in your research about the CIA. Below you will find pointers to suggested research terms about the CIA, materials in the library catalog about the CIA, websites relevant to the subject of the CIA, and links to library databases that contain information about the subject of the CIA. Please use our email reference service, contact us at (310) 434-4254, or visit us in the library at the reference desk if you need further assistance.
Suggested Research Terms
One of the really helpful things when searching for information about a topic is a short list of terms related to a topic. We think the following terms will help with your research about the CIA:
- CIA
- national security
- global security
- intelligence gathering
- counterintelligence
- Aldrich Ames
- spying
- moles
Materials in the library catalog related to the subject of the CIA
We have the following materials in the library catalog related to the subject of the CIA:
Websites on the subject of the CIA
The following websites will help you with your research on the subject of the CIA:
The CIA website gives information about the CIA, its structure and purview. Its mission is to "support the President, the National Security Council, and all who make and execute US national security policy by: providing accurate, evidence-based, comprehensive, and timely foreign intelligence related to national security; and conducting counterintelligence activities, special activities, and other functions related to foreign intelligence and national security as directed by the President."
This CIA publication profiles countries of the world, and is available both online and in print form in many libraries. Information is updated annually and includes maps, data on the geography, people, government, economy, military, and "transnational issues" of each country included. Information on the people of a country includes not only basic population statistics but such data as the literacy rates, infant mortality rates, and HIV/AIDS data.
“The CIA has established this site to provide the public with an overview of access to CIA information, including electronic access to previously released documents.” Searchable. There are links to new documents and the 25 most requested documents.
This page, via the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) site, documents findings of a commission investigating "charges of mediocre performance, lapses in management, and loss of direction at the Central Intelligence Agency [which] played a major role in the formation of this Commission. The Aldrich Ames debacle, in particular, was seen by many as a sign that the CIA needed a major overhaul." (The Federation of American Scientists is a "nonprofit organization founded in 1945 as the Federation of Atomic Scientists. Our founders were members of the Manhattan Project, creators of the atom bomb and deeply concerned about the implications of its use for the future of humankind. FAS is the oldest organization dedicated to ending the worldwide arms race, achieving complete nuclear disarmament, and avoiding the use of nuclear weapons for any purpose.")
Library Databases relevant to the subject of the CIA
The following Santa Monica College Library online databases may contain material relevant to the subject of the CIA. Databases may include magazine, newspaper and journal articles. Off-campus users, please note: you must be a Santa Monica College student, faculty or staff member to use these services.
Military and Government Collection
Designed to offer current news pertaining to all branches of the military and government, provides cover-to-cover full text for more than 350 journals and periodicals and indexing and abstracts for more than 450 titles.
Designed to offer current news pertaining to all branches of the military and government, provides cover-to-cover full text for more than 350 journals and periodicals and indexing and abstracts for more than 450 titles.
Academic Search Premier, MasterFile Premier
Academic Search Premier and MasterFile Premier provide full text for over 6200 periodicals including full text for more than 3,500 peer-reviewed journals. Coverage spans virtually every area of academic study and offers information dating as far back as 1975.
Academic Search Premier and MasterFile Premier provide full text for over 6200 periodicals including full text for more than 3,500 peer-reviewed journals. Coverage spans virtually every area of academic study and offers information dating as far back as 1975.
National Newspapers (1985- current)
Local, regional and national news coverage from selected newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, Denver Post, USA Today, Christian Science Monitor.
Local, regional and national news coverage from selected newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, Denver Post, USA Today, Christian Science Monitor.
Encyclopedia Americana
Includes 45,000 articles, plus thousands of hypertext links to web sites featuring additional data. It is updated quarterly.
Includes 45,000 articles, plus thousands of hypertext links to web sites featuring additional data. It is updated quarterly.
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