This document provides information on researching topics in art history using online resources. It discusses what types of information can be found online, such as galleries, exhibitions, articles and reference resources. It also discusses who creates this online information, such as organizations, publications and businesses. The document then focuses on two types of internet searches - bibliographic searches and "serendipity" searches. It provides examples of databases and search engines that can be used for each type. Finally, it discusses strategies for effective searching and how to properly cite internet sources using MLA format.
2. What’s on the Internet For
Art History?
Online Galleries & Exhibitions
Articles and Essays
Ready Reference Resources
(dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc.)
3. Who Creates the Information
Organizations (museums, societies, educational inst., etc.)
Publications (w/ information for sale - incl. bibliographic info.)
Businesses (w/ objects for sale)
Individuals (special interest)
4. A Quick Look at 2 Types of
Internet Searches
Bibliographic search
- a search for information referencing journal articles and books
“Serendipity” search
- a search for whatever maybe out there on your topic
5. Bibliographic Searching
Art Index (Online)
FirstSearch
- for journal and monograph citations
ProQuest Direct
- for journal citations and full-text articles
All available off the Scholes Library Web Site Database Page
6. “Serendipity Searching”
Use an Internet “Search Engine”
such as HotBot or Alta Vista
Search Engines are huge database depositories of
Internet content and locations
Each search engine works differently
The trick is to “master” a single search engine
7. A Needle in a Haystack
You’re Likely to Find Most Anything
Some of it accurate and useful
Much of it not!
Can be a frustrating activity unless:
– you know what you’re looking for
– you master a search engine
– A Chicken Story!
8. Citing an Internet Resource
MLA Format for Citing Online Works
Author's name. "Title of Document." Title of Complete Work.
Date of Publication or last revision. <URL Address> (Date of
access).
– Use less-than and greater-than signs to open and close URL
address.
– Any information which is not known is omitted.
9. Like This:
MLA Format for Citing Online Works
Author's name. "Title of Document." Title of Complete Work. Date of
Publication or last revision. <URL Address> (Date of access).
–
–
Use less-than and greater-than signs to open and close URL address.
Any information which is not known is omitted.
Examples:
Slippery Rock University. “Citing Sources in MLA and APA.” Citing Sources SRU-OWL.
20 August 1997. <http://www.sru.edu/depts/artsci/engl/jmccarre/owl/wc_cite.htm>
(9 February 1999)
Faulkner, William. "A Rose For Emily." <http://www.bnl.com/shorts/emily.html> (7 April
1997).
10. AltaVista Cheat Sheet
2 Types of Searches Available
Simple Search
Advanced Search
– For very very specific searches
Different Rules (Syntax) for Each Type of Search
- need to learn the rules for each
11. AltaVista “Simple” Search
Use lowercase
Use a + (plus sign) before a word to demand that it be
included in your results
Use a - (minus sign) before to exclude a word
No sign at all means “OR” (does’nt have to be in there)
Use * (asterisk) as a wildcard for alternative spellings
– (ex. wish* will get wish, wishes, wishful, wishbone and even wishy-washy)
Use “quotes” for exact phrase (ex. “french impressionism”)
12. Example
I want to know about the cubist influence in painings by
chagall. I am not interested in his stained glass work or his
theatrical designs.
Sample: from bad to better
chagall cubist painting (795,067)
+chagall +cub* +paint* (4,941)
+chagall +cub* +paint* -theat* -glass (260)
+chagall +cub* +paint* -theat* -glass +influence
(46)
13. AltaVista “Advanced” Search
Do not use symbols …(but still use lowercase!)
Must use boolean search terms instead (and, or, not, near)
–
–
–
–
–
And = words that must be included
And Not = exclude a term
Or = alternative terms - use in parentheses (clay or ceramic)
Near = within 10 words
“quotes” and asterisk* work too
Ex. chagall and (windows or “stained glass”) and not paint* near glass
Ability to determine “Ranking”
14. I’m looking for information on Marc Chagall, the
person, a work (stained glass), and stylistic influences.
A short article in Dictionary of Art gave me these
search terms to start
russia
humor
revolution
biblical themes
cubism
jewish
folk art
HadassahHebrew
University
Medical Center
surreallism
paris
Religon
1887-1995
expressionism
Stained glass
Theatrical designs
Jerusalem