Anthropology Resources

Indexes and Databases

One method for beginning research is to obtain journal articles on your topic. This should be considered a two-step process. The first step consists of finding article citations using indexes such as those listed below. (These are the more useful indexes but remember there may be others.) Also remember that electronic databases have limitations on their period of coverage. You may need to refer to print indexes as well. Once you have your article citations, the second step is to find the actual article. You may be fortunate to have access to the full-text of the article directly from the electronic index. If this is not the case, you need to search CONSORT for the JOURNAL title and determine if Kenyon owns it and, if so, where it is located. Some journals may be available in both print and electronic format.

Anthropology Plus (1983 - )
This resource combines formerly two separate databases: Anthropological Literature and Anthropological Index. This resource indexes articles from over 1,000 journals and 200 edited works each year in anthropology and related fields. Focus is on the fields of archaeology, cultural and social anthropology, biological and physical anthropology, and linguistics. It also covers the periodical collection of the British Museum Department of Ethnography (Museum of Mankind). Entries are compiled from over 750 journals received in the Department of Ethnography. It also includes citations from related fields, e.g. botany, demography, folklore, religion, etc.

Social Science Citation Index (1980 - ) [Part of the ISI Citation Indexes]
The Social Sciences Citation Index indexes 1,700 journals spanning 50 disciplines. Perform a general search using subject terms, author, journal title, or author affiliation; or find out who has cited a particular work by doing a Cited Reference Search. Reference lists for each work are included. Updated weekly.

Abstracts in Anthropology (1980 - ) [Reference Area -- Index Table 6]
Provides indexing and abstracting of anthropology periodicals. The subject and author indexes, which are cumulated annually, refer you to abstract numbers within the volume which summarize the articles.

Academic Search Premier (1965- )
An interdisciplinary index, Academic Search Premier includes citations and abstracts for over 4,300 popular and academic periodicals. The full text of many of the articles indexed is available.

Social Sciences Abstracts [1994- ]
Indexes and abstracts articles from English-language periodicals published in the United States and elsewhere. Coverage includes a wide range of interdisciplinary fields covered in a broad array of social sciences journals.

AP Photo Archive
The AP Photo Archive contains some 700,000 images featuring state, regional and national photos from North America, as well as the best of the international photo report. Note: The AP Photo Archive requires the use of Netscape Communicator 4.04 (or greater) or Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 (or greater) software.

REFERENCE SOURCES

These types of resources can be used for a quick overview of a topic. They can also be useful for finding citations to works which can help you further your research.

Encyclopedia of Cultural Anthropology [Ref. GN307 .E52 1996]
This four volume encyclopedia covers all of the sub-fields, important persons, topics, concepts, and organizations in the field of cultural anthropology. Each essay also includes a bibliography for further research.

Encyclopedia of World Cultures [Ref. GN307 .E53 1991]
This ten volume set provides comprehensive, authoritative descriptions of 1500+ cultural groups from around the world. Includes historical, political, linguistic, religious, social, economic and other information on each culture.

Encyclopedia of Social and Cultural Anthropology [Ref. GN307 .E648 1996]
This one volume encyclopedia contains 231 articles which cover a broad range of topics relevant to cultural anthropology. Does include entries for some subjects not covered by the Encyclopedia of Cultural Anthropology.

History of Physical Anthropology: An Encyclopedia [Ref. GN 50.3 .H57 1997]
This two volume encyclopedia covers the major areas and subfields of the discipline. It also includes biographical sketches of major and minor figures in the field and entries on the history and development of the discipline in countries around the world.

 

ELECTRONIC JOURNALS

JSTOR
Provides access to the full content of a variety of scholarly journals. Coverage generally begins with volume one of a journal, and ends 2-5 years from the present. Journals may be browsed or searched. Includes the anthropology journal listed below. In addition, there are a number of interdisciplinary journals.

Electronic Journal Center
The EJC includes the full content of nearly 4,000 academic journals in a variety of subjects. You can search or browse the entire collection, or just the Anthropology section.

Selected Internet Sites

Anthropology Resources on the Internet
Annotated guide to many of the largest and most up-to-date collections of anthropology resources on the Internet. Maintained by the American Anthropological Association.

Anthropology, Archaeology, and Regional Studies.
These World Wide Web Virtual Libraries serve as centralized access points for Internet resources in each of these areas.

Ethnographic Studies Resources
Collection of resources in the areas of anthropology, ethnomusicology, folklore, and folklife. The site is maintained by the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.

Course Research Guides

ANTH 113 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

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Julia Glynn
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