Guide to Anthropology Resources

Getting Started

mchu@csusm.edu (Melanie Chu) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:30:22 -0800

The following selected REFERENCE sources (encyclopedias and dictionaries) are a good place to start your research. They can help you identify a topic for your paper, and often include useful bibliographies

Finding Books

mchu@csusm.edu (Melanie Chu) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:30:44 -0800

Books will provide a better overview of an issue than articles. Use bibliographies to find additional sources.

Search the Library Catalog for books at CSUSM. The Circuit delivers books from local libraries to our Check Out Desk in 1-2 days.

Books on a few anthropology related subjects:

Map to find materials in Kellogg Library

Finding Articles

mchu@csusm.edu (Melanie Chu) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:31:09 -0800

These research databases include anthropology related research.

See an article you want in one of these databases?

Look for "Full Text" in PDF, HTML, Linked or
Fill out an Interlibrary Loan article request form. Free, takes about 1 week.
Any time you need help, ask a librarian.

Scholarly Research

mchu@csusm.edu (Melanie Chu) — Thu, 14 May 2009 10:49:30 -0700

Find out what professors mean by "scholarly" research with this quick tutorial and comparison chart.

Scholarly books and journal articles (aka "peer-reviewed" or academic) are research conducted by experts in a field. These tend to be fairly complex and specific, and include substantial bibliographies.

Non-scholarly sources (aka "popular press") are usually magazine and newspaper articles. These are typically written for the general public in a relatively short, easy-to-read format without bibliographies. Most websites would be considered non-scholarly.

Some classes will require primary sources, firsthand material from a given time period such as diaries, letters, photographs, maps, or newspapers.

Citing Sources

mchu@csusm.edu (Melanie Chu) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:53:15 -0800

Every time you use someone else's ideas (even if you explain the idea in your own words), give credit in your bibliography AND in the text of your paper/presentation.

To format your bibliography

APA Style examples
Free formatting from KnightCite.

In-text citations examples

When you use your own words:

As Brown (2001) shows blah blah blah.
Blah blah blah (Brown, 2001).

When you use a direct quote:

According to Smith (1998) "direct quote" (p. 14).
"Direct quote" (Smith, 1998, p. 14).

Note: There are many other citation styles, such as MLA or Chicago. Check with your professor to see what style is required for your research.