Research Guide

Countries & Cultures

Dewey Decimal Classification System - Missions - 266; Religions - 280’s & 290’s; Ethnology and Culture – 301 thru 307; Language Studies 400’s; History & Geography - 900’s; Biography 922

LC Classification System - Missions and Evangelism – BV2000 thru BV3799; Religions – BL thru BQ; History – D; Sociology - HM thru HX; Geography – G; Language and Literature – P

LC Subject Headings - Using the Library Catalog [Basic Search] screen and selecting the [Subject Heading] field search for the appropriate terminology:  Missions (be sure to read the Note), Evangelistic work, Anthropology, Culture.  Be sure to scroll through the list of headings for additional terminology.

In addition try terms such as: Ethnology, Ethnic groups, Ethnicity, Minorities. Search also individual ethnic groups and peoples, e.g. Indo-Europeans; Caucasian race; Hopi Indians; Igbo (African people).

Following the “See also” references will lead to terms like these:  Acculturation, Cross-cultural orientation, Christianity and Culture, Culture, Indigenous peoples, Intercultural communication, Language and languages, Manners and customs, Missions Anthropological aspects, Religion and Culture.

For information on specific countries use the name of the country as a [Subject] from the [Advanced search] screen.  For foreign language materials use the name of the country and the word language as [all of these] in [Subject] from the [Advanced search] screen.  For cassette tapes only use the [Limits] feature and limit the [Location] to cassettes.  The library has the Language/30 series on cassette representing 16 different languages.

Reference Resources - From the Library Catalog [Advanced Search] set [Limits] to [Reference] then use the name of the country or ethnic group or religion in [Subject].  Or go to the shelves and browse the Reference collection for these:

Periodical Holdings - Magazines, Journals & Newspapers:  The Periodical Holdings list indicates which periodical titles are held by the library as well as inclusive dates and format availability (microform, physical, electronic).  For all periodical titles available through the TMC library go to library Web site, select Periodical Holdings from the menu on the left.  From this page you can find magazines, journals & newspapers by title or by subject.

The Periodical Holdings List and CHECK FOR FULL TEXT are especially useful when attempting to determine whether or not the library has a particular journal either in print or electronic formats.  CHECK FOR FULL TEXT allows you to link from an abstract or citation to a hyperlinked list of our library's full-text holdings or print holdings for that journal.  From there, you may link directly to the journal, the article or to the print holdings record in our OPAC.  In the event the TMC library does not have the journal in question, CHECK FOR FULL TEXT also provides a link to our interlibrary loan service.
 

Periodical Indexes:  used to find articles in magazines, journals and newspapers.  For indexes available to the TMC community go to library Web site and select Library Databases/Indexes.  Use the various search options to identify all available print and electronic indexes by either title or subject and type.

Online Databases:  The Library Databases/Indexes page includes all subscription based electronic research tools including periodical indexes and reference ebooks. To access all of these online research tools use the Library Databases/Inexes menu option found on the library Web site.

These will be particularly useful

Web Links:

Go to the library Web site and select Web Resources.  Select the appropriate subject related to the field of interest.  All Web sites posted have been evaluated and recommended by subject specialists.

Many of the library's databases also provide links to scholarly Web sites.  Using these will save you from the need to evaluate for yourself their reputability.

For a more exhaustive listing of  Web sites reviewed and annotated by scholars and specialists in the field search The Scout Report at http://scout.wisc.edu/.

Of particular interest are:
ARDA: The Association of Religion Data Archives - Find statistics on religions and denominations regionally, nationally and internationally

ASARB: Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies - information and statistics about denominations and other faith groups in the United States.
Minority Links: racial and ethnic populations in the U.S.
CIA World Factbook
Country Studies
Global Evangelization Movement
Internet Resources for Social & Cultural Anthropology
Mission Resource Directory; Missions & World Christianity

Library Catalog Online Search Strategy

Use the same search strategy used to find reference books but without the limits.  From [Basic Search] screen use the name of the country or ethnic group or religion in [Subject].  Be sure to look at the See Also references.

From [Advanced Search] screen use the name of the country or ethnic group or religion in [Subject].  If insufficient records obtained, use [Keyword anywhere].

Search the call numbers, subject headings and authors from retrieved records to identify additional similar resources.

Additional Research Guides: (also available on the Reference Desk)

· Basic Steps in Library Research – six simple steps explaining the research process

· From Cite to Hand - Books – how to actually obtain books and other materials whether or not the library owns them

· From Cite to Hand - Articles – how to actually obtain magazine and journal articles whether or not the library owns them

· Finding Articles in Two, sometime Three, OK maybe Four Easy Steps

· Identifying Scholarly Books – clues for distinguishing scholarly books and journals

· Identifying Scholarly Periodicals- clues for distinguishing between magazines, journals and peer reviewed journals

· Evaluating Resources – easy way to help evaluate the usefulness of research resource both paper and electronic

· Research Worksheet – designed to make research simpler by working step by step through the research process

· Copyright for Higher Education– help in understanding the copyright law as it pertains to faculty and students

© Janet Tillman/The Master’s College, 2004 - 09, permission is granted for non-profit educational use; any reproduction or modification should include this statement.
Last updated August, 2009