Research Strategies for Environmental Design C169B, History of the US Cultural Environment

Environmental Design Library
Research Strategies Worksheet, Environmental Design C169, History of the US Cultural Environment

This worksheet is intended to help you develop a strategy for finding information on your topic. Use the resources recommended in the guide History of the US Cultural Environment. compiled by Elizabeth Douthitt Byrne, February, 2004

1) Write as a sentence the topic you will be researching for your essay assignment:

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2) Use one- or two-word phrases to describe each of the main concepts or separate ideas in your topic.

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3) List at least 3 keywords or snyonyms for each concept. You may want to include place names, style, era, building type or landscape element, function, etc.

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4) Use the keywords to find books in the library catalog, Pathfinder, on your topic. (Hint: Use the "Advanced Search" and search keywords as Title Keyword OR Subject Keyword.) Display the full or long catalog record of relevant books to see the official library subject headings for this topic. List subject headings for each keyword.

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5) To narrow your search, combine keywords and subject headings for the same concept using "AND." To broaden your search, combine keywords and subject headings for different concepts using "OR."

6) Write down the information you will need to locate a relevant book in the Library and include it in a bibliography. Include full citation (author, title, place of publication, publisher, series if any, date) and location (which library has it) and call number.

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7) Identify at least one multi-disciplinary periodical index and one subject-specific periodical index which would refer you to journal articles on your topic. Use keywords and subject headings above to search the indexes. (Hint: use the Journal Indexes section of the web guide.)

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8) Write down the full citation to the most relevant article on your topic (include author, title of article, title of journal, volume number, issue number, date and pages). Note subject terms and keywords used for this article.

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9) Use UC e-links in the index or Pathfinder to see if this journal is available in the UCB libraries. Search for the journal title. If it is available online, email yourself a copy. If not, write down the call number and UCB library that has the print copy.

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10) If the journal you want is not at UCB, click on the Request button in MELVYL, or ask a librarian about getting a copy through interlibrary loan. If it is in NRLF (storage), use Pathfinder and click on the NRLF button to electronically request it be brought to campus for you.

11) Name one source you would use to identify historical societies, professional organizations, or archives on your topic, and check in it. (Hint: Use the section of the web guide called Trade & Professional Associations, Organizations, Archives & Historical Societies.)

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