Native Americans in the Movies:Native Americans in the Movies:Some Strategies for ResearchSome Strategies for Research

Gary HandmanMedia Resources CenterMoffitt Libraryghandman@library.berkeley.edu643-8566

Native Americans in the Movies:Native Americans in the Movies:Some Strategies for ResearchSome Strategies for Research

1. Describe the types of writing and research about film

2. Introduce selected sources for finding books and journal articles in film studies & related fields

3. Discuss how to select article databases (and determine what’s in them)

4. Discuss how to develop search strategies

The (Library)The (Library)Information UniverseInformation Universe

•BooksBooks•Journals (Magazines) & Journals (Magazines) &

Newspapers Newspapers •Government docsGovernment docs

•MapsMaps•Media (video, sound Media (video, sound

recording, etc.)recording, etc.)•Computer files (e.g. CD-Computer files (e.g. CD-

ROMS)ROMS)•Online Resources Online Resources

DissertationsDissertations•ManuscriptsManuscripts•EphemeraEphemera

The Information Universe

But how do you find this stuff?

The Information Universe

Library Catalog(s)

Journal/NewspaperIndexes

Inventory of what the Inventory of what the Library owns:Library owns:BooksBooksJournals (Journals (BUT NOT what’s BUT NOT what’s inside of them!!!!!!inside of them!!!!!!) )

Library CatalogsLibrary Catalogs

Search by:Search by:•AuthorAuthor•TitleTitle•Subject (keywords)Subject (keywords)

MediaMediaManuscripts, documents, Manuscripts, documents, maps…etc. etc. etc. etc.)maps…etc. etc. etc. etc.)

Pathfinder and Melvyl

The Information Universe: Books In the zone : the twilight world of Rod Serling / <1997>Author: Wolfe, Peter, 1933- Published: Bowling Green, OH : Bowling Green State University Popular Press, c1997.

Location(s): MAIN: PN1992.77.T87 W66

Get da Book in da Stax

Call #(It really does mean something!)

The Information Universe: Finding ArticlesArticle Databases (Indexes/Abstracts)

• Databases produced by different commercial publishers; often look/act differently from one another.

• Regularly updated

• Allow subject/author searching in a group of journals in a particular discipline or topical area.

• Some indexes also offer abstracts AND/OR FULLLLL FULLLLL TEXXXXT!TEXXXXT!

Choosing an Articles database (index)Choosing an Articles database (index)

•Look at the listings of article databases available via the library www.lib.berkeley.edu: includes listings by SUBJECT, NAME, etc.

•General Databases are often good places to start (particularly for newsy/topical issues)

Articles/Reviews Articles/Reviews (how do you find this (how do you find this

stuff?)stuff?)

Film-related (not many exist) Film-related (not many exist) General news General news Literary and ArtsLiterary and ArtsOther disciplines: e.g. Women’s Other disciplines: e.g. Women’s Studies, American Studies, Ethnic Studies, American Studies, Ethnic Studies, History…etc.Studies, History…etc.

Article databases Article databases (aka Indexes)(aka Indexes)

Article Databases Article Databases (how do you know (how do you know which ones to use?)which ones to use?)

Jumping Off point for Finding Online Indexes:

http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/

Once You Find a Once You Find a Journal Citation, Journal Citation,

How Do You Find the Article?How Do You Find the Article?

•Some indexes provide holdings Some indexes provide holdings info [UC eLinks]info [UC eLinks]

•Some indexes Some indexes link tolink to full-textfull-text

If neither…use If neither…use PathfinderPathfinder to look up to look up the JOURNAL by titlethe JOURNAL by title

How to Begin? Before you click: THINK

•Formulate a concise, concrete statement of

the research problem•Formulate your search in terms of

keywords and key phrases:

The impact of television advertising and television violence on school performance and pre-adolesecent social interaction.

How to Begin? Before you click: THINK

•Think of synonyms for key words/phrases

The impact of television advertising and television violence on school performance and pre-adolesecent social interaction.

ChildrenYouthAdolescents…etc.

CommercialsAds…etc.Academic achievement

Grades…etc.

MediaTV…etc

Socialization, relationships,peer interaction…etc.

Once you’ve found something that looks promising,Check out the “official” subject headings

Common Search Features:

--Save list of good stuff--Mail Articles/Citations to yourself

Remember Also:

•Not every topic has lots written Not every topic has lots written about it, either in books or about it, either in books or journal lit.journal lit.

--Research on very current topics

--Research on extremely specific topics

--Research on topics off the beaten academic track or off the popculture radar

What to do if too much is turning up:

•Narrow your topic: •e.g.: geographically, chronologically; by race, gender, ethnic group; •Specific focus or aspect of the topic (e.g. ethical, social, economic, political aspects)

What to do if nothing is turning up:

•Broaden your topic / go for the more general / select a different angle•Rethink your search strategy (new keywords, new concepts, etc.)•Bail out and choose another topic

Connecting from off-campus

Instructions at http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/HELP/CONNECTING FROM OFF CAMPUS

http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/MRC/FilmBibMenu.html a growing listing of bibliographies on various film topics and individual films compiled by MRC (includes bibs for genres, filmmakers, national cinemas, and individual film).

……being driven totally bananas by being driven totally bananas by your research?your research?Call me:Call me:

Gary HandmanGary Handman643-8566643-8566

ghandman@library.berkeley.edughandman@library.berkeley.edu