AN 112 - Cultural Anthropology

This guide provides information on the many different library resources available to you, some basic tips on how to do research, and contact information if you need assistance from a librarian. Some of this information is specific to the Mabee Library, Washburn University, but many of the ideas and search strategies presented here apply to most academic libraries. NOTE: Washburn students may search many of the resources listed below from any computer with Internet access. To access restricted resources, you will be prompted to enter your name and WU ID number.

How to Get Help

Reference desk (785)670-1483 or toll free 1-800-736-9060
E-mail refemail@washburn.edu
Instant Messaging http://www.washburn.edu/mabee/im/imreference.html
Post to our blog http://mabeereference.blogspot.com
Maps of the library http://www.washburn.edu/mabee/banner/maps_location.shtml

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Finding Articles

Scholarly, Peer-reviewed, Refereed Journal

Popular Magazine

Can't tell the difference? Check out this research guide that will help you identify scholarly journals.

Scholarly journals are often key resources for academic assignments. The articles in a scholarly, academic journal are reviewed and evaluated by experts in the field prior to publication. This process assures the reader that the content is reliable and timely. Use Abstracts in Anthropology to find scholarly articles on archaeology, cultural and physical anthropology, and linguistics.

In some electronic databases, such as ProQuest Research Library , you may limit your search to articles in peer-reviewed journals.

What's the difference?

 

Finding articles on a particular topic is a three-step process:

Step 1

Select an appropriate electronic database from http://www.washburn.edu/mabee/researchTools/elec_dbs.html . Many of our article databases include the full text, in either HTML or PDF format. Research guides are available for many of the electronic databases at http://www.washburn.edu/mabee/researchTools/guides.html .

For your assignment, you may want to try these databases:

  • Abstracts in Anthropology - Covers a broad spectrum of significant, current anthropological topics from a vast number of periodicals
  • GEOBASE - Worldwide literature on geography, geology, and ecology
  • PAIS Archive and PAIS International - Databases chronicling global public policy and social issues
  • Urban Studies and Planning - Covers such subjects as Anthropology, Economic Development, Economics, Education, Environmental Science, Regional Geography, Residential and Community Development, Social, Spatial, and Cultural Dynamics, Sociology, Urban and Regional Planning, Urban Culture, and Urban Geography
Step 2
 If the full text isn't available, conduct a "periodical title" search of the library catalog to find out if we subscribe to the journal. Sometimes the Library subscribes to both the print and electronic versions of a journal (see the sample).
Step 3
 If the journal is not available from the Mabee Library, request a copy through Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery
  • Print journals are located on the 1st floor (lower level) of the library; they are arranged in alphabetical order by journal title (disregarding a, an, and the at the beginning of the title). Call 670-1483 if you need assistance on the 1st floor.
  • Back issues of print journals may also be located on microfiche cards or microfilm reels. These are housed in cabinets on the 1st floor (lower level) at the north end. There is no charge to print from microfiche/microfilm. Call 670-1483 if you need assistance with microfiche or microfilm.
  • Electronic journals may be accessed by following the link provided in the library catalog. Note: Remote users will be required to enter their name and Washburn ID number. Call 670-1483 if you have problems with remote access to electronic journals.

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Finding Books

The Library's Web-based online catalog is called ATLAS.
Use the library catalog to search for books, course reserves, CDs, DVDs, videotapes, and journal titles (not journal articles). You may search by title, author, subject, a combination of author and title, or by periodical title. Keyword searching using Boolean operators is also supported.

Access it from the Library's home page at http://www.washburn.edu/mabee

Access it directly at http://lib.wuacc.edu

There are books in the Reference Collection which are good sources for current information on various countries and cultures of the world as well as current statistical information. Here are a few recommended titles:

  • World Factbook. 2006. (Mabee Reference HA154 .W6)
  • CultureGrams world edition 2006. (Mabee Reference GT150 .C85 2006)
  • United Nations. Statistical Office. World statistics in brief. 2005. (Mabee Reference HA42 .U58)
  • World almanac and book of facts. 2007. (Mabee Reference AY67 .N5 W7)
  • Time almanac 2007 with information please. 2006. (Mabee Reference AY64 .I55)
  • OECD in figures. 2006-2007. (Mabee Reference HA154 .O19)
  • World resources: a report by the World Resources Institute and the International Institute for Environment and Development. 2005. (Mabee Oversize HC59 .W667 upper level)
  • Statesman's year-book: statistical and historical annual of the states of the world. 2007. (Mabee Reference JA51 .S7 2006)
  • Europa world year book. 2006. (Mabee Reference JN1 .E85)
  • Commonwealth yearbook. 2006. (Mabee Reference JN248 .C5912)
  • Encyclopedia of Food and Culture. 2003. (Mabee Reference GT 2850 .E53)
  • Geo-Data: the world geographical encyclopedia. 2003. (Mabee Reference G103.5 .G36)
  • World Development Report 2007: Development and the Next Generation (Mabee Stacks HC59.7 .W659 2007)
  • World Development Indicators. 2006. (Mabee Reference HC59.15 W565 2006)

Need more help? Check out this research guide on how to find books in the Mabee Library.

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Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery

If the Mabee Library does not own or have access to a particular book or journal, you may request a copy of the article or the book through Interlibrary Loan; this free service normally takes 7-10 days for books and 2-3 days for journal articles.

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Internet Searching

What's the difference between the Library's electronic databases and Internet sites reached by using Yahoo or Google? Check out this research guide for the answer. Here are several recommended sites:

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Citing Your Sources

Style manuals provide the necessary information for documentation and style in writing research papers and reports. Check out the research guides on the different styles if you need help citing your sources.

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http://www.washburn.edu/mabee/crc/courses/an112

April 2007