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Introduction to Library Resources and Research Methods for DRAMA 1701 September 2013. Jeff Lilburn Public Services Librarian Mount Allison University Libraries & Archives. Today’s class. Primary and Secondary Sources Scholarly and non-scholarly Sources
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Introduction to Library Resources and Research Methods for DRAMA 1701 September 2013 Jeff Lilburn Public Services Librarian Mount Allison University Libraries & Archives
Today’s class • Primary and Secondary Sources • Scholarly and non-scholarly Sources • Most common secondary sources in Literary/Theatre Studies • How to Find Secondary Sources (books, articles, performance reviews, contextual and historical information) • Keyword Selection (interactive exercise)
Primary Sources • A primary source provides first-hand information on the topic. • The author or artist personally participated in the event under discussion, such as a science experiment, a humanitarian mission, or the creation of a work of art. • The work has not been changed or analyzed by another person or organization.
Examples of Primary Sources: • Original research (results of an experiment, an archeological dig) • Government Records (Parliamentary Proceedings, Bills, Acts) • Personal works (diaries, letters) • Works of Art (paintings, sculptures, photographs)
Secondary Sources • Secondary sources present an argument, interpretation, conclusion, or summary based on information found in primary sources.
Examples of Secondary Sources: • A biography • A book review • Commentary and criticism (of a work of music or a work of art) • Histories
In Literary Studies • Examples of primary sources?
In Literary Studies • Examples of primary sources? …A novel, short story, poem or play
In Literary Studies • Examples of primary sources? …A novel, short story, poem or play • Examples of secondary sources?
In Literary Studies • Examples of primary sources? …A novel, short story, poem, play • Examples of secondary sources? …A book about the plays of David Mamet …A scholarly journal article aboutHamlet …A book review or review of a performance _____ Source for previous 8 slides (and where to find more information and examples): • Primary and Secondary Resources: A Research Guide, http://www.mta.ca/library/primary_secondary.html
Scholarly vs. Non-scholarlySecondary Sources • Not every book or article about a literary work is necessarily a scholarly source. • An article about Margaret Atwood published in The Globe and Mail or Macleans magazine, for example, would not be considered a scholarly source. • Why not?
What is a Scholarly Source? • Are generally written by experts in the field (look for: credentials, author affiliations)
What is a Scholarly Source? • Are generally written by experts in the field (look for: credentials, author affiliations) • Are generally peer-reviewed (critically assessed by other scholars and experts in the field prior to publication)
What is a Scholarly Source? • Are generally written by experts in the field (look for: credentials, author affiliations) • Are generally peer-reviewed (critically assessed by other scholars and experts in the field prior to publication) • Engage and build on previous research on the same subject (see next bullet)
What is a Scholarly Source? • Are generally written by experts in the field (look for: credentials, author affiliations) • Are generally peer-reviewed (critically assessed by other scholars and experts in the field prior to publication) • Engage and build on previous research on the same subject (see next bullet) • Always cite all sources quoted or referenced in the book or paper (articles and books aimed at a non-academic audience don’t normally do this)
What is a Scholarly Source? • Make a contribution to the field (present an original argument or interpretation)
What is a Scholarly Source? • Make a contribution to the field (present an original argument or interpretation) • Are generally published in a peer-reviewed journal (articles) or by a university press or publisher specializing in scholarly works (example: Oxford University Press)
What is Peer-Review? “Scrutinizing Science: Peer Review.” Understanding Science. University of California Museum of Paleontology. 4 October 2011 <http://www.understandingscience.org/article/alvarez_01>.
Most Common Scholarly Secondary sources in Literary Studies? • Books, essays published as chapters in edited collections, and journal articles (articles published in scholarly, peer-reviewed journals)
Most Common Scholarly Secondary sources in Literary Studies? • Books, essays published as chapters in edited collections, and journal articles (articles published in scholarly, peer-reviewed journals) Examples: Nischik, Reingard M. Engendering Genre: The Works of Margaret Atwood. Ottawa: University of Ottawa Press, 2009. Deery, June. “Science for Feminists: Margaret Atwood’s Body of Knowledge.” Twentieth Century Literature 43.4 (1997): 470–86.
What about book reviews? • Scholarly or non-Scholarly?
What about book reviews? • Scholarly or non-Scholarly? • Book reviews typically present one person’s opinion about a newly published book. Book reviews do not normally engage with (or cite) existing scholarship on an author or attempt to present an argument or interpretation. Same for reviews of a play?
How to Find Secondary Sources Where to search for Books: • MtA Library Catalogue • WorldCat • Other Library Catalogues • Other books (scan the bibliographies of books and articles you’ve already found) • Browsing library shelves • Google Books
Example of a “STARTS WITH” TITLE search: cambridge introduction to shakespeare
Example of a KEYWORD search: Shakespeare and politics
Your search Number of items found
How to Find Secondary Sources Where to search for Journal Articles: • Library Databases such as the MLA Database, Project Muse, JSTOR… • Also: the bibliographies of books or other articles that you have already found.
How to Find Secondary Sources Where to search for Journal Articles: • Library Databases such as the MLA Database, Project Muse, JSTOR… • Also: the bibliographies of books or other articles that you have already found. Online? An increasing number of academic peer-reviewed journals are available for free online and can be accessed through Google Scholar, the DOAJ, or through other Open Access Collections, but many journals can still only be accessed in library databases or in print format at the library.
MLA Database • Index to scholarly research in several languages covering topics in language, literature, linguistics, folklore and film. • Also indexes (selectively) books and essays published in edited collections (chapters). • Not a full-text database, but will help you identify articles (and books, chapters…) that exist, and which we may have in print or in another database (such as JSTOR, Project Muse).
MLA Database In case you were wondering… • Yes, the “MLA” in the name of this database is the same as that in the MLA Handbook, and MLA citation style. • No, the MLA Database does not use MLA Style. You will have to supply the Style.
Added Keyword: ecology Shakespeare and Macbeth and ecology
Article Title Journal Title