Research Guide
Studies in Classic Film
Use the Master’s College Library Web site: http://www.masters.edu/DeptPageNew.asp?PageID=22 for access to the library’s online catalog to identify all of the resources in the library or to find those available electronically through its many online databases. The library’s Web site also provides information on how to do research, library services, hours, personnel, links to other libraries’ catalogs and links to other useful Internet Resources.
Dewey Decimal Classification (used by TMC):
Cinematography (photographic aspects of motion picture) = 778.5
Performing Arts = 790’s
Motion Pictures = 791.43
Fictional films will be in the 800’s: 813 – American Fiction, 823 – British fiction; 895.6 Japanese fiction
Non-fictional films will be in their respective subject areas (e.g. religion 200’s, social sciences 300’s, sciences 500’s-600’s, History 900’s
Biographical films will be in the 920’s; Christian biography 922
Library of Congress Classification (used by TMS):
Fine Arts = N; Motion pictures = PN 1865-1999; Cinematography = TR84
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Cinematography for works on the technical aspects of making motion pictures and their projection onto a screen
Film criticism for works on the technique of motion picture reviewing
Film noir
Motion picture plays--History and criticism for works on the criticism of screenplays
Motion Picture Industry (do not use “Film Industry”)
Motion Pictures (do not use “Cinema”, Films or “Movies”) for general works on motion pictures themselves, including motion pictures as an art form, copyrighting, distribution, editing, plots, production, etc.
Motion pictures—
Or use the Library Catalog “Basic Search” screen and the “Subject Browse” field to search for your topic. Be sure to click on the “Info” and “Note” links for related terminology and additional information about the use of LC Subject Headings.
Reference Resources
From the library Web site select “Library Catalog - OPAC“. From here select “Search Limits” and set the “Location” to “Reference“. Then from the “Advanced Search” screen type in your topic. Use the appropriate Boolean options of “any of these” “all of these” or “as a phrase”. Then search in either “Keyword anywhere” or “Subject” fields. When applying “Limits” do not search using the “Basic Search” screen, as the “Limits” function will not apply. When relevant records are identified search the “Call Numbers” and “Subject Headings” found with those records to find additional relevant resources.
General Collection
Use the same search strategy used to find reference books but without the “Limits“. That is from the “Advanced Search” screen type in your topic. Use the appropriate Boolean options of “any of these” “all of these” or “as a phrase”. Then search in either “Keyword anywhere” or “Subject” fields. Scroll through the hit list and identify the most common Dewey Classification numbers. Then browse the shelves in those areas. Also, when relevant records are identified search the “Call Numbers” and “Subject Headings” found with those records to find additional relevant resources.
HINT: Use the keyword field for a broader search. For instance if there is not likely to be much information in the library on the topic or you want to get a broad overview of what is in the library on the topic or the term is very unique.
Use the subject field for a narrower search. For instance the name or term used is a very common one or the library is likely to have a lot of information on the topic.
To find information about film narrative, cultural aspects, aesthetics or philosophical, political or social aspects, etc. use the phrase “motion pictures” in the “Subject” field then AND this with whatever relevant term is needed. Search in “Keyword Anywhere: using the “Advanced Search” screen.
Biographical Information
Search the “Library Catalog” using either the “Basic Search” or “Advanced Search” screen for the last name of the writer, director, producer, etc. in the “Subject” or “Keyword anywhere” fields.
Audio – Video Resources
To find videos or DVD’s from the Library Catalog select “Search Limits”. Then from the “Location” option select Videos/DVD’s. Then click on the “Set Limits” button, wait while the page reloads and then select “Search”. Search using the “Advanced Search” screen; do not use the “Basic Search” screen as the “Limits” function will not apply. Use the appropriate LC Subject heading or keyword.
Online Databases/Indexes
For electronic reference resources go to library Web site – select “Library Databases/Indexes”. If you already know which eReference work you want simply type it in the search box. If you don’t know, you can scan the alphabetic list or use the “Search by: Main topics” and Types option. Select the Main topic: Fine arts” and the Types: “eReference” for a list of the electronic reference tools that support the Fine arts field.
Of particular interest are:
Encyclopedia Britannica Online
Opposing
xReferPlus
For magazine, journal or newspaper articles type in the name of the database/index you want or if you don’t know which one to use select the Main topic: “Fine arts” and the Types: “Articles”. This will give you a list of the online databases and the periodical indexing tools (both print and electronic) that support the field of Fine arts.
Of particular interest are:
-Academic Search Elite (EBSCOhost)
-Arts & Humanities Citation Index (FirstSearch)
-Proquest Research Library
Periodicals
Magazines, Journals & Newspapers: The Periodical Holdings page on the library Web site indicates which periodical titles are held by the library as well as inclusive dates and format availability (microform, physical, electronic). To access this page go to library Web site, select “Periodical Holdings”. From this page you can find magazines, journals & newspapers by typing in the title, perusing an alphabetical listing or by selecting an appropriate subject.
The Periodical Holdings List and Journal Linker are especially useful when attempting to determine whether or not the library has a particular journal either in print or electronic format. Journal Linker 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, Journal Linker also provides a link to our interlibrary loan service. Look for the Journal Linker icon Suggestion: For those indexing databases where Journal Linker does not apply, keep two browsers open: one for searching the online index to find an article and one with the Periodical Holdings page open for quickly checking to see if and where TMC has the journal containing the article. Web Links Go to the library Web site and from the menu on the left 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/. ? 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 © 
in these periodical databases: ABC-Clio, EBSCOhost, FirstSearch, Philosopher's Index (CSA) and Proquest.
Additional Research Guides: (also available on the Reference Desk)