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

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

Try different search terms Describe same topic in different ways—can make a difference OR—EXPANDS YOUR SEARCH EX: Film or video Wall paintings or murals

Keyword: 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-

Subject Headings—Links Advantages: Refine your topic Narrow your focus Take search in new direction Find resources wouldn’t have found otherwise

Repeat Process with Databases When looking for relevant articles, start with a general search to see what’s out there… Check out article titles & abstracts. Find something that looks good & go from there. Some databases, like Art Full Text, suggest search terms. Search Strategies Keyword VS Subject Boolean Searching Save time using Truncation searching…

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 Print AND Online CRAAP Test: Currency—Is the information out-of-date?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?

AVT 600 AVT 600 - Research Methodologies Jenna Rinalducci Visual Arts Liaison Librarian Wednesday October 6, 2010 1:30PM-4:10PM

What are the Steps in the Research Process? 1. Pick a topic 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Finished product (paper, project, thesis…)

What are the Steps in the Research Process? Pick a topic Where to search (catalog, databases) How to search (keyword search terms) How to get it (find books & articles) Is what I’ve got any good (evaluate sources) Finished product (paper, project, thesis…)

Library Resources Library Website: Ask-a-Librarian→ IM… InfoGuides Library catalog: Books E-books DVD, VHS WRLC Mason theses And more…

More Library Resources Research Databases Arts Databases Art Fulltext Bibliography History of Art (BHA) Design & Applied Arts (DAAI) ARTBibliographies Modern Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals ARTstor (images)

More Library Databases Interdisciplinary Databases Academic Search Complete (\Digital Creativity, Visual Studies) ProQuest Research Library (British Journal of Photography, Journal of Glass Studies) Wilson Omnifile (Art Full Text part of database) JSTOR (\Museum Studies) Humanities International Complete (Art Asia Pacific, Word & Image)

Find and image and want to find out more about the technique? From ARTsor Database Creator: Rembrandt van Rijn Title: Artemisa (Sophonisba Receiving the Poisoned Cup) Date: 1634 Material: Oil on canvas Repository: Museo del Prado

Brainstorm: Search Terms Rembrandt, Rembrandt van Rijn Oil painting, Oil on canvas Technique, Painting technique, Painting and Technique Chiaroscuro, Light in art, Shades and shadows Artist materials Dutch, Netherlands *Try as general searches & see what you find…

Find an image and want to find out more about the artist / his aesthetic? 20th-century bark painting by Australian Aboriginal artist David Malangi depicts the tree of life … http://student.britannica.com/comptons/art-51313/A-20th-century-bark-painting-by-Australian-Aboriginal-artist-David?&articleTypeId=31

Brainstorm: Search Terms David Malangi OR Malangi, David Bark, bark painting Australia, Australian… Oceanic Aboriginal, aborigine Symbolism, Iconography, Tree of Life Social life and customs *Try as general searches & see what you find…

Start with General Search & Then Refine Keyword: “bark painting” (searches as a phrase)

Repeat with Databases When looking for relevant articles, start with a general search to see what’s out there…

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.

Research Checklist State your topic as a question. Identify main concepts. Narrow or broaden your topic. Keep a list of terms that work best for your topic & add to it as you go. 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? Visual Arts Liaison: Jenna Rinalducci jrinaldu@gmu.edu 703-993-3720 Stop by the Reference Desk Ask-a-Librarian: IM, etc. (http://library.gmu.edu/ask) InfoGuides (http://infoguides.gmu.edu/)