Unless home is a campus dorm, in order to access many Library resources you must first configure your computer to use one of two simple access methods:
Proxy Server (easiest method) After you make a one-time change in your web browser's settings, allows you to use your CalNet ID to access a licensed resource.
VPN (Virtual Private Network) You install and run the VPN software on your computer. It allows you to log in with a CalNet ID and accesss a licensed resource.
* Note: the majority of the circulating fine arts and classics related collections are housed in the Gardner Stacks. These materials are freely accessible and can generally be borrowed. *
The "right" tool for the job
It's hard to find what you need if you're looking in the "wrong" place. Choose a resource that includes the kinds of materials you need.
Looking for books & articles ? You're likely to need both the library catalog and an article database. Which one, and when, depends.
start with a catalog
if you already have a citation for an item
if you want to find books on a topic
start with an article database
if you need to isolate articles or essays on a topic
some contain scholarly articles, some magazine articles, some news, some contain it all
article databases often include more than articles (chapters in books, etc.)
a few more points...
results do notequal what UCB owns !
results do identify where articles were published (name of publication and associated volume/issue/date information)
results sometimes link to articles online
use UC-eLinks when full text is not available
Where is the article?
Many library databases incorporate the UC-eLinks feature. You use it when a result's text is not provided by the database searched. It checks the UC-wide collections to see if the source is available elsewhere...
This free encyclopedia is publicly editable and not a scholarly resource. Because anyone can write or add to an entry, the information may be innacurate or untrue. Through the very structure of its creation, it has dependability issues. Yet, it can still be a useful tool, if used wisely.
Like other encyclopedias, it can be helpful in obtaining topical background, and entries often list sources for further reading (which you can then see if UCB has). Use Wikipedia as a starting point for information you will verify in the course of your research via scholarlysources.
Evaluating sources
Research is as credible as the work that goes into it! It's important to analyze the information you find, including where it comes from.
Some research databases contain popular as well as scholarly content. Depending on your needs, you may want to limit results to just scholarly content. You can...
choose a resource that only contains it
if using a resource with mixed content, limit to the scholarly material
many General article databases contain news and magazine content in addition to scholarly materials
(see Choosing a resource tab for details on General article databases)
Citing sources
Properly citing sources is an important part of your research. It allows you to avoid plagiarism and highlights your engagement with related scholarship.
In a nutshell: "Whenever you quote or base your ideas on another person's work, you must document the source you used. Even when you do not quote directly from another work...."
The above extract is taken from the Library's guide to citing sources. The guide gives an overview of this topic and links to formatting rules for the major citation styles.
* Shortcut: many databases allow you to export citations in a given citation style (MLA, APA, etc.) . This functionality is often found under the email options provided by the database. *
Chat with a librarian
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Subject Specialists
UCB has librarians specializing in disciplinary subjects and specific kinds of materials.
Since the UCB libraries are structured by subject, you may wish to seek help from the library specializing in your disciplinary focus.
Doe & Moffitt libraries focus on the arts, humanities and social sciences. Since their subject base is so broad, their reference desks provide generalized research help for the library system.
help developing search strategies (for humanities and social sciences topics)
Schedule (view/edit) an appointment online [CalNetID required]
This tab
The notes in this tab contain suggestions about how to proceed with research based on your assignment. These suggestions build upon, and presume familiarity with, the concepts addressed in the Choosing a resource tab of this guide.
Suggested resources
OskiCat
find books on your topic
find periodicals already identified as having articles on your topic
Article databases
find articles and essays on a topic
find research focused on an aspect of a topic
find current research
Subject specific databases (publications from a specific discipline)
determine disciplines relevant to your topic
view databases by subject
review descriptions, paying special attention to Recommended databases
example...
Art History >
Art Full Text Art Index Retrospective ARTbibliographies Modern Bibliography of the History of Art International Bibliography of Art
General databases (publications from many disciplines)
Academic Search Complete
popular and scholarly content (good for popular culture topics, magazine/news content in addition to academic journals)
some results available online
has UC-eLinks feature
Google Scholar
strength is scholarly journal literature
use UC-eLinks to get full text, [ but you must first enable UC-eLinks - via Settings gear > Library links]
JSTOR
scholarly journals
full text resource
use advanced search (to narrow to specific discipline, and set limits)
Project Muse
humanities and social science content
full text resource
searchcontents or browseby defined areas of research focus
Other resources:
Biographical sources | encyclopedias
Grove Art Online
scholarly encyclopedia
bakground and biographical information
results include a bibliographies
includes related images
AskART
biographical data
related images
Image databases
ARTstor
digital image database
download (images & related citation data)
must register to download (free to UCB students)
News databases
review database description
alternative or mainstream press ?
time period of coverage ?
geographical coverage ?
Access World News
full text news database
over 600 U.S. and over 700 international sources
can search by geographical location
source list provides inventory of titles included and dates covered
