ASRC 100.2 -- Africana Library, Cornell University

ASRC 100.2: Africa Through European Eyes

(http://www.library.cornell.edu/africana/faculty/asrc100_2.html)

Compiled by Eric Kofi Acree, Librarian
ea18@cornell.edu/255-5229/Africana Library

Developing a Search Strategy
Finding Background Information
Searching Techniques
Finding Course Reserve Readings
Finding Books
Finding Articles
Citing Sources

Developing a Search Strategy:

Search strategy is a library term for the process of finding information in a logical, step-by-step manner. Using a search strategy insures that you will find the information and materials you need as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Research Steps:

Choose your topic
Find background information
Find books on your topic
Find periodical articles
Evaluate your sources
Cite your sources

Tips to consider when doing research:

Have a clear understanding of the assignment. What is the length of the paper? What are you suppose to report?
Check the bibliography and indexes of books related to your topic.
Use more than one source.
When searching databases be flexible with the use of search terms.
To learn the best way to use a particular database check out that database help page. There is usually some type of variation for each database.

Finding Background Information (Selected Reference Books):

Print Encyclopedias:

Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience, AFR Reference DT 14 .A37435 2005 (5 volumes)

Africa. Ref. DT 3 .A249x 2002 (4 volumes)

Africa South of the Sahara. Ref. DT 351 A25
Comprehensive view of countries comprising Sub-Saharan Africa. Includes coverage of international organizations, research bodies, and major agricultural and mineral commodities.

Black Africa: A Comparative Handbook. 1989. Ref. DT 352.8 M85 1989
Surveys Sub-Saharan Africa's economic, demographic, and political structure.

Encyclopedia of African History and Culture. Ref. DT 3 P27x 2001
Five volume set which chronologically divides Africa's history into five major eras; v. 1. Ancient Africa (prehistory to 500 CE) -- v. 2. African kingdoms (500 to 1500) -- v. 3. From conquest to colonialization (1500 to 1850) -- v. 4. The colonial era (1850-1960) -- v. 5. Independent Africa (1960-present).

Encyclopedia of Precolonial Africa. DT 2 .E53 1997

Encyclopedia of Twentieth Century African History. Ref.DT 29 .E53

Middle East and North Africa. Ref. DS 49 M62
Comprehensive view of countries comprising the Middle East and North Africa. Includes coverage of international organizations, research bodies, and major agricultural and mineral commodities.

On-line Encyclopedias:

ARTstor. Searchable database of digital images and associated catalog data. Covers the fields of architecture, painting, sculpture, photography, decorative arts, and design, as well asmany other forms of visual culture.

Grove Art Online.Grove Art Online provides web access to the entire text of The Dictionary of Art, ed. Jane Turner (1996, 34 vols.) and The Oxford Companion to Western Art, ed. Hugh Brigstocke (2001).

Oxford Reference Online. Searchable database of 100 language and subject dictionaries and reference works of Oxford University Press.

Gale Virtual Reference Library Provides the full text of many encyclopedias, handbooks, dictionaries, and directories.

Searching Techniques:

Whether you are clicking your way across the Web, searching for resources in the Cornell Library Catalog, or looking for scholarly articles in specialized subject databases, being aware of a few simple techniques can improve the effectiveness of your searches.

Do you know how to use the following search techniques?

keywords vs. phrase searching
boolean operators: AND, OR, NOT (for combining search terms)
truncation and wildcard symbols (for finding singular, plural, and other keyword variations)
field searching (for narrowing a search to specific parts of a record)
controlled vocabulary (subject headings)

See the following sites for details on how to refine and perfect your search results:

Introduction to Database Searching Skills
Search Strategies

Finding Course Reserve Readings:

Click on http://www.library.cornell.edu/services/reserves.html
Click Access Course Reserves
Select by course ASRC 100.2

Finding Books:

Cornell Library Online Catalog.The Cornell University Library Catalog includes the holdings of 20 Cornell University libraries.

Other Library Catalogs:

Worldcat. OCLC WorldCat is a catalog of the holdings of books, journals, and other materials held by OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) member libraries. Includes NetFirst database holdings.

Borrow Direct: Books which are currently unavailable or not owned by Cornell may be requested through the virtual catalog of Brown University, Columbia University, Dartmouth College, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania and Yale University. These are requested directly by the library patron. Registration is not required.

Interlibrary Loan: Books or journal articles not owned by Cornell may be borrowed or photocopy from outside institutions. Choose the unit which best suits your needs. Registration is required.

Finding Articles:

CU Library Gateway: Find Articles | Find Databases

Distinguishing Scholarly From Non-Scholarly Periodicals: A Checklist of Criteria

Academic Search Premier provides full text for nearly 4,650 academic multi-disciplinary serials, including full text for more than 3,600 peer-reviewed titles.

Art Full Text. Indexes, abstracts and full-text from international periodicals, yearbooks, and museum bulletins. Areas covered include archaeology, architecture, art, film, humanities, marketing, motion pictures and photography.

Artbibliographies Modern. Abstracts of journal articles, books, essays, exhibition catalogs, dissertations, and exhibition reviews.

Bibliography of the History of Art. A database search engine covers European and American art from late antiquity to the present, indexes and abstracts art-related books, conference proceedings and dissertations, exhibition and dealer’s catalogs, and articles from more than 2,500 periodicals.

Research Library. Indexes and abstracts an extensive number of periodicals, covering general interest magazines and scholarly journals in the social sciences, humanities and sciences.

JSTOR. JSTOR is a fully-searchable database containing the back issues of several hundred scholarly journals in the humanities, social sciences, mathematics, music, ecology and botany, business and other fields.

LexisNexis Academic. Provides access to full text resources on topics including current and general news.

MLA Bibliography. MLA Bibliography is the largest and most comprehensive database covering scholarship in the modern languages, linguistics, literature, folklore, and drama, including film, opera, radio, television and theater.

PsycINFO. Contains summaries and citations of the international literature in psychology and related behavioral and social sciences, including psychiatry, sociology, anthropology, education, pharmacology, and linguistics.

Citing Sources:

Give credit where credit is due.

Plagiarism vs. Documentation -- http://www.sdst.org/shs/library/plagdoc.html

Recognizing and Avoiding Plagiarism -- http://plagiarism.arts.cornell.edu

By properly citing the sources you use in your research projects you are both identifying the resources that you used to complete your work and you are formally acknowledging the authors or creators of those resources. This allows others to find what you have found and to verify your research.

Cornell University Code of Academic Integrity

Citation@Cornell

Chicago Manual of Style
CU Reference locations include Olin, Uris, ILR, and Fine Arts Libraries at call number: Z253 .U69 2003

Chicago Manual of Style Form Guide (Ohio State University)

The Chicago Manual of Style FAQ

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.)
CU Library Reference locations include Africana, Hotel, Management, Olin, and Uris Libraries at call number:
BF 76.7 .P83x 2001x. Also in ILR and Mann Reference at BF 76.7 .A51 2001.

APA citation style (Gateway Help)

APA Reference Examples for Electronic Source Materials Excerpted from the new 5th edition of the Publication Manual.

APAStyle.org

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (6th ed.)
CU Library Reference locations include Olin and Uris Libraries at call number: Z253 .M68 2003 .

MLA Citation Style (Gateway Help) MLA Style (MLA's web site)

Library Instruction Evaluation Form

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		Print This Page ASRC 100.2: Africa Through European Eyes (http://www.library.cornell.edu/africana/faculty/asrc100_2.html) Compiled by Eric Kofi Acree, Librarian ea18@cornell.edu/255-5229/Africana Library Developing a Search Strategy Finding Background Information Searching Techniques Finding Course Reserve Readings Finding Books Finding Articles Citing Sources Developing a Search Strategy: Search strategy is a library term for the process of finding information in a logical, step-by-step manner. Using a search strategy insures that you will find the information and materials you need as quickly and efficiently as possible. Research Steps: Choose your topic Find background information Find books on your topic Find periodical articles Evaluate your sources Cite your sources Tips to consider when doing research: Have a clear understanding of the assignment. What is the length of the paper? What are you suppose to report? Check the bibliography and indexes of books related to your topic. Use more than one source. When searching databases be flexible with the use of search terms. To learn the best way to use a particular database check out that database help page. There is usually some type of variation for each database. Finding Background Information (Selected Reference Books): Print Encyclopedias: Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience, AFR Reference DT 14 .A37435 2005 (5 volumes) Africa. Ref. DT 3 .A249x 2002 (4 volumes) Africa South of the Sahara. Ref. DT 351 A25 Comprehensive view of countries comprising Sub-Saharan Africa. Includes coverage of international organizations, research bodies, and major agricultural and mineral commodities. Black Africa: A Comparative Handbook. 1989. Ref. DT 352.8 M85 1989 Surveys Sub-Saharan Africa's economic, demographic, and political structure. Encyclopedia of African History and Culture. Ref. DT 3 P27x 2001 Five volume set which chronologically divides Africa's history into five major eras; v. 1. Ancient Africa (prehistory to 500 CE) -- v. 2. African kingdoms (500 to 1500) -- v. 3. From conquest to colonialization (1500 to 1850) -- v. 4. The colonial era (1850-1960) -- v. 5. Independent Africa (1960-present). Encyclopedia of Precolonial Africa. DT 2 .E53 1997 Encyclopedia of Twentieth Century African History. Ref.DT 29 .E53 Middle East and North Africa. Ref. DS 49 M62 Comprehensive view of countries comprising the Middle East and North Africa. Includes coverage of international organizations, research bodies, and major agricultural and mineral commodities. On-line Encyclopedias: ARTstor. Searchable database of digital images and associated catalog data. Covers the fields of architecture, painting, sculpture, photography, decorative arts, and design, as well asmany other forms of visual culture. Grove Art Online.Grove Art Online provides web access to the entire text of The Dictionary of Art, ed. Jane Turner (1996, 34 vols.) and The Oxford Companion to Western Art, ed. Hugh Brigstocke (2001). Oxford Reference Online. Searchable database of 100 language and subject dictionaries and reference works of Oxford University Press. Gale Virtual Reference Library Provides the full text of many encyclopedias, handbooks, dictionaries, and directories. Searching Techniques: Whether you are clicking your way across the Web, searching for resources in the Cornell Library Catalog, or looking for scholarly articles in specialized subject databases, being aware of a few simple techniques can improve the effectiveness of your searches. Do you know how to use the following search techniques? keywords vs. phrase searching boolean operators: AND, OR, NOT (for combining search terms) truncation and wildcard symbols (for finding singular, plural, and other keyword variations) field searching (for narrowing a search to specific parts of a record) controlled vocabulary (subject headings) See the following sites for details on how to refine and perfect your search results: Introduction to Database Searching Skills Search Strategies Finding Course Reserve Readings: Click on http://www.library.cornell.edu/services/reserves.html Click Access Course Reserves Select by course ASRC 100.2 Finding Books: Cornell Library Online Catalog.The Cornell University Library Catalog includes the holdings of 20 Cornell University libraries. Other Library Catalogs: Worldcat. OCLC WorldCat is a catalog of the holdings of books, journals, and other materials held by OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) member libraries. Includes NetFirst database holdings. Borrow Direct: Books which are currently unavailable or not owned by Cornell may be requested through the virtual catalog of Brown University, Columbia University, Dartmouth College, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania and Yale University. These are requested directly by the library patron. Registration is not required. Interlibrary Loan: Books or journal articles not owned by Cornell may be borrowed or photocopy from outside institutions. Choose the unit which best suits your needs. Registration is required. Finding Articles: CU Library Gateway: Find Articles \| Find Databases Distinguishing Scholarly From Non-Scholarly Periodicals: A Checklist of Criteria Academic Search Premier provides full text for nearly 4,650 academic multi-disciplinary serials, including full text for more than 3,600 peer-reviewed titles. Art Full Text. Indexes, abstracts and full-text from international periodicals, yearbooks, and museum bulletins. Areas covered include archaeology, architecture, art, film, humanities, marketing, motion pictures and photography. Artbibliographies Modern. Abstracts of journal articles, books, essays, exhibition catalogs, dissertations, and exhibition reviews. Bibliography of the History of Art. A database search engine covers European and American art from late antiquity to the present, indexes and abstracts art-related books, conference proceedings and dissertations, exhibition and dealer’s catalogs, and articles from more than 2,500 periodicals. Research Library. Indexes and abstracts an extensive number of periodicals, covering general interest magazines and scholarly journals in the social sciences, humanities and sciences. JSTOR. JSTOR is a fully-searchable database containing the back issues of several hundred scholarly journals in the humanities, social sciences, mathematics, music, ecology and botany, business and other fields. LexisNexis Academic. Provides access to full text resources on topics including current and general news. MLA Bibliography. MLA Bibliography is the largest and most comprehensive database covering scholarship in the modern languages, linguistics, literature, folklore, and drama, including film, opera, radio, television and theater. PsycINFO. Contains summaries and citations of the international literature in psychology and related behavioral and social sciences, including psychiatry, sociology, anthropology, education, pharmacology, and linguistics. Citing Sources: Give credit where credit is due. Plagiarism vs. Documentation -- http://www.sdst.org/shs/library/plagdoc.html Recognizing and Avoiding Plagiarism -- http://plagiarism.arts.cornell.edu By properly citing the sources you use in your research projects you are both identifying the resources that you used to complete your work and you are formally acknowledging the authors or creators of those resources. This allows others to find what you have found and to verify your research. Cornell University Code of Academic Integrity Citation@Cornell *Chicago Manual of Style* CU Reference locations include Olin, Uris, ILR, and Fine Arts Libraries at call number: Z253 .U69 2003 Chicago Manual of Style Form Guide (Ohio State University) The Chicago Manual of Style FAQ *Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association* (5th ed.) CU Library Reference locations include Africana, Hotel, Management, Olin, and Uris Libraries at call number: BF 76.7 .P83x 2001x. Also in ILR and Mann Reference at BF 76.7 .A51 2001. APA citation style (Gateway Help) APA Reference Examples for Electronic Source Materials Excerpted from the new 5th edition of the Publication Manual. APAStyle.org *MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers* (6th ed.) CU Library Reference locations include Olin and Uris Libraries at call number: Z253 .M68 2003 . MLA Citation Style (Gateway Help) MLA Style (MLA's web site) Library Instruction Evaluation Form