Post on 16-Dec-2014
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AVT 395The Artist as Researcher & Writer
Library ResourcesLibrary Website:
Ask-a-Librarian→ IM… InfoGuides
Library catalog: Books E-books (Net Library) DVD, VHS WRLC And more…
More Library Resources
Research DatabasesArts Databases
Art Fulltext
Bibliography History of Art (BHA)
Design & Applied Arts (DAAI)
ARTBibliographies Modern
Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals
More Library Databases
General Databases Academic Search Complete (exs: Digital Creativity,
Visual Studies, Visual Anthropology)
ProQuest Research Library (ex: British Journal of Photography, Journal of Glass Studies)
Wilson Omnifile (E-Journal Finder lists art journals, like Art in America, as available here)
JSTOR (exs: Artibus et Historiae, Museum Studies)
Humanities International Complete (exs: Art Asia Pacific, Word & Image)
Types of Information• Online Catalog – Books can provide general overview
OR detailed insight about your topic
• Research Databases – access to different types of periodicals (articles, reports…)
• Primary Sources – Original records like letters, manuscripts, newspapers, interviews, photos, recordings, works of art
• Reference Sources – From background information to images
• The Web – benefits and limitations for research
Advantages of…
Books• Good for background information, timeline,
definitions, etc. • Length allows author to go more in-depth into a
subject
Articles• More specialized searching• Better for newer artists/designers (may not have
books yet)• More current information—more recently published
Research Process• Define Your Topic (Identify main concepts; Narrow or
broaden topic; List of search terms )
• Determine Your Information Needs (how current, specific publication type)
• Locate and Retrieve Relevant Information (search strategies)
• Access Information using Technology (catalog, databases, web)
• Evaluate Information (print & electronic)
• Use Information Ethically (cite sources)
Search StrategiesKeyword:
• Simplest search• Looks for records that match the words typed, not the
ideas represented by the words
Controlled Vocabulary (Subjects):• Uses subject headings for more refined results• Looks for records that match the ideas represented by
the words.• Terms are standardized• Often active links
Keyword: Aboriginal art VS Subject Heading: Art, Australian aboriginal.
Keyword: David Malangi VS Subject Heading: Malangi, David, 1927-
Color
More Search StrategiesBoolean Searching
AND/OR/NOTCombine keywords to narrow/broaden your search
AND— NARROWS YOUR SEARCHEX: Interior Design AND Color
OR—EXPANDS YOUR SEARCH
EX: Film or video OR
Wall paintings or murals
NOT—LIMITS TERMS FROM SEARCH NOT
Interior design
AND
Wall paintings Murals
Maya Software
More Search StrategiesTruncation
Save time using Truncation searching…
1. In the catalog:Photograph? → Photograph, Photographs, Photography, Photographic, Photographer
2. In the databases:Architect* → Architect, Architecture, Architectural, Architecturally, Architectonic
Is a photograph a depiction of reality? How is photography art?
North Dome, Basket Dome, Mount Hoffman, Yosemite
Artist: Ansel Adams, born San Francisco, CA 1902-died Monterey, CA 1984
Medium: silver print on paper
Type: Photography-Photoprint
Date: ca. 1935
Topics:
Landscape\California
Landscape\bird's eye view
Landscape\park\Yosemite National Park
Landscape\mountain\Mount Hoffman
Data Source:
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Brainstorm• Ansel Adams or Adams, Ansel as Subject
• Photography, photograph…
• Yosemite, Yosemite National Park, California, Mount Hoffman
• National Parks
• Landscapes or Landscape Photography
• Natural history→ narrow to Natural history—West (U.S.)
• Nature photography
• Photography, artistic
Study in Art & Design
Benefits of using the library:
• Wonderful source of both written and visual research opportunities
• Wide range of material available in general reference, as well as specific books on periods, artists and designers
• Written & visual sources can provide inspiration, explain techniques, etc.
Evaluate Your Sources• Evaluate the sources you find!
• Print AND Online
• CRAAP Test:• Currency—Is the information out-of-date?
• Relevance—Is the information on topic?
• Authority—Who wrote the information?
• Accuracy—Is the information correct? • Purpose—What is the information intended to do?
Educate? Persuade? Entertain?
Research Checklist
1. State your topic as a question.
2. Identify main concepts.
3. Narrow or broaden your topic.
4. Keep a list of terms that work best for your topic & add to it as you go.
5. This works whether you’re writing a brief paper or an in-depth research paper. It even works for an artists statement, thesis proposal, or bibliography.
Questions
• Stop by the Reference Desk
• Ask-a-Librarian: IM, Email, etc. (
http://library.gmu.edu/ask)
• Call the reference desk or your liaison
• InfoGuides (http://infoguides.gmu.edu/)
• Visual Arts Liaison: Jenna Rinalducci