• Because Asian Studies is an interdisciplinary approach to subject matter, one should always search for materials from a geographical perspective and a topical/disciplinary perspective. This means you might look for material on Asian music both in an index to music journals as well as an index to Asian Studies journals.
• Because this is a senior seminar, your topics will be more narrowly focused than when you did introductory research in the area. However, tertiary sources (encyclopedias and handbooks) and bibliographies may still prove to be very useful. You may want to skip them initially to jump right into primary or secondary literature; then come back to fill in gaps in statistics, chronologies, citations for specific topic areas, etc.
• As always, you must take care to evaluate your material. Who wrote/posted it? What are their credentials? Is the material from an academic (scholarly publisher or .edu site on the web) or proprietary source (commercial publisher or .com site)? Is the material current for the topic? If a website, when was it last updated? Is that important? Etc.

Select a topic and state it in the form of a question or hypothesis.
Identify the main ideas in your question or hypothesis
Select key words or terms in your hypothesis.
Think of possible synonyms for these terms.
Now, formulate a search strategy using Boolean logic. Remember to use:

OR to allow the search to retrieve any one, but not necessarily all, of your terms
This will BROADEN your search.

AND to specify all the terms/ideas which must appear in the retrieved record.
This will NARROW your search.

Think about which disciplines might be interested in your topic.  It is useful to search for materials from geographical, topical/disciplinary (i.e. political science, economics, sociology) perspectives. This means if you are asking how the treatment of women in Vietnam encourages or discourages development, you might look for resources focused on Vietnam, women and/or families, political science, public affairs, economics, and sociology. Widen the lens to sources on Asia, if necessary.  Use these areas of interest to choose the journal databases  to find articles.

University of Minnesota Libraries ; UMN East Asian Library
University of Minnesota materials are available to you for free through Minitex.  The first address is for their online catalog; the second is the home page for the East Asia collection.  From that page you have access to a variety of databases.

World Cat : Originally the database for cooperative library catalog records; now a sophisticated search engine for books, journals (but not articles!), musical scores, government documents, videos, websites, manuscript materials, and anything else a library might catalog (puppets, anyone?). Useful to get a feel for how many and which libraries might own a particluar esoteric item so you can decide if something is worth requesting on interlibrary loan. Subject, author and title searching possible. Use Library of Congress Subject Headings as descriptors; keyword searches are okay for narrowly defined topics. Duplicate records signify disagreements among librarians as to how an item should be cataloged. Once at the record level, click on the library icon to see which libraries hold an item, and request with the ILL button if you want it. Items from Minnesota libraries should come in a very timely way; UWiscMadison cooperates with Minitex but is slower. We have cooperative lending agreements with other liberal arts colleges; you are more likely to have to pay with the bigger universities.

BIBLIOGRAPHIES

If you are working on a comprehensive search, it may be helpful to consult book-length bibliographies. You may find Country-specific items (e.g.) or Subject-specific items (e.g. ).

• World Bibliographical Series . ABC-Clio Press has an ongoing series of country bibliographies. They are most easily accessible by doing a keyword search for "world bibliographical series country," e.g. world bibliographical series laos.

Topical Bibliographies: Search in Bridge by keyword using a specific subject heading and the word "bibliography" (e.g. Islam China Bibliography). However, you may have more success with the country/bibliography keyword search because it will also pick up bibliographies in some individual works which you might miss otherwise (e.g. China Bibliography picked up a bibliography in the book Living with China: US China Relations in the 21st Century -- but the whole book is not dedicated to a bibliography on this topic).

AREA STUDIES INDEXES

Bibliography of Asian Studies. This is the primary index/database for Asian Studies journals. Many sources are indexed here that the other databases don't consider sufficiently "major" to cover. But there will be good materials for you. It also indexes essays in books which may not be accessible through Bridge or WorldCat.

Index to Southeast Asian Journals. 1960-1979. [R.R. DS 504.5 .J6] Extensive coverage for years covered. [In print.]

Journals Specific to Asia

Arts of Asia, Asia Major, Asia Pacific Perspectives, Asian Affairs, Asian Survey, Beijing Review, China Quarterly, Japan Echo, Journal of Asian Studies, Journal of Japanese Studies, Tricycle, US Japan Women's Journal (See Kris for this one).

SUBJECT ACCESS TO JOURNALS, MAGAZINES AND NEWSPAPERS

Given the plethora of indexes, it is critical that you carefully target an index which is likely to cover the appropriate journals which publish material on your topic. Additionally, you need to consider whether you want broad, general indexes which will give you a sampling of materials appearing in mainstream publications, or specialized indexes which will be comprehensive and focused. Listed below are a sample of the indexes to be found in the St. Olaf Libraries. If you can't find the type of materials you need, please consult a reference librarian to help you find your way throught the maze. You will save a great deal of time by using the best index, not necessarily the most convenient. All of these indexes are accessible from the Libraries' Home Page , under "Electronic Research Tools:  Articles and More."

General Indexes to Mainstream Publications
Academic Search Premier   Indexes articles in both popular magazines and academic journals. Full text of articles often an option.
Alternative Press Index . [R.R. AI 3 .A27]. Covers 250 (primarily US) alternative and radical publications from 1987-. Ask reference librarian for password.

Indexes to Scholarly Journals in the Disciplines
A complete list of indexes and databases is available through the Libraries' home page under "Electronic Research Tools:  Articles and More." This includes online databases and indexes published in paper format. I have included a sampling here so that you can get an idea of the breadth available and because I believe they may be the most useful for your research.

Historical Abstracts From an historical perspective -- includes political, social, economic history occuring from 1450 to date for the world other than the US and Canada. You can also search America: History and Life from this same site.
Art Index .   Sept. 1984-. Print version goes back to 1928. [R.R. N 1 .A1 A7] Indexes 200 art journals.
Women Studies International. Extensive coverage of womens's issues.

CSA Databases:
MLA Bibliography  Indexes papers in languages and literatures; also linguistics.
PAIS (Public Affairs Information Service) 1972 -
An index to public policy and political affairs around the world. Indexes articles, books, conference proceedings, government documents, book chapters, and statistical directories.
Worldwide Political Science Abstracts Excellent coverage of political science
Sociological Abstracts 1963 - Indexes 2600 sociology journals plus book abstracts and review citations.
ERIC database 1963-. Indexes both education journals and research documents gathered by the U.S. Department of Education.
EconLit : Contains citations & abstracts for journal articles and books.
ATLA Religion Index Includes material on various religions.
Index Islamicus Includes material on the religion as well as topics of significance in the Islamic World (including Asia).

Indexes to Newspapers, both US and International, over the years:
The New York Times New York Times Index [RR AI21 .N45 ] is an indispensable starting point for primary source accounts of an event .  For historical articles, use The New York Times, 1851-2003.  Lexis/Nexis, below, covers from 1980 to date..
Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe
"Academic Universe" provides access to a wide range of news, business, legal, medical, and reference information. Excellent source for full-text articles in national and international newspapers going back a number of years. For tips on finding back file articles in international newspapers, click here.
Proquest National Newspaper Database
Select "National Newspapers, "then "Continue," then click on "Guided." Full-text coverage of The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post and Minneapolis Star Tribune. 1986-present.  Useful in that fewer papers are covered than in L/N.

English Translations of non-US radio and TV broadcasts, newspapers and some journals.... Produced by the US Government
World News Connection (Online version of Foreign Broadcast Information Service. ) FBIS includes daily English translations of non-US foreign news broadcasts as well as English translations of articles from foreign newspapers and journals as well as some news broadcasts. Translated by the U.S. government. 1995 - present, use online edition -- the reference librarian will provide login and password
When you finish searching YOU MUST EXIT by selecting "Exit" button which is located at the bottom of the Main Menu and each of the main Search Menus. You will prevent anyone else from using the system for 30 minutes if you do not exit the system properly.

1977-1996 is covered by two resources:
Daily Reports of Foreign Broadcast Information [FBIS]. Contains daily English language translations of nonUS news broadcasts as well as news from some print sources. Good resource for local opinion. Asia-related reports from Asia are available from 1978-1996 on microfiche [Gov Docs PREX 7.10:FBIS]; July 1996-July 1997 on CDRom in the reference room. An index is available on CDRom in the Reference room, FBIS Electronic Index , which covers 1977-1999. The individual daily fiche have tables of contents.
Joint Publications Research Service [JPRS] . English language translations from nonUS newspapers and journals . Indexed by Transdex [DOC REF JA 1.A1T7]; actual fiche are shelved in the Documents fiche collection under DOCS PREX 7.13:JPR

CITATION INDEXES

Web of Science .  Moves your search forward in time.  Works primarily for journal articles, but books may show up as well.

INTERNET

There are a variety of ways to search the web: Google certainly is a familiar choice. However, don't miss the INDEXES to websites compiled by librarians who have already judged them to have good content for a head start!

Librarians' catalogs of websites:
Infomine Websites "collected" by academic librarians -- full descriptions and subject headings
Librarians' Index to the Internet Aimed more at public library patrons but still useful for many topics
Scout Report Reviews of web sites; searchable by keyword and Library of Congress Subject Headings

Individual websites recommended by librarians or your professor:
United Nations Commission on Human Rights
University of Minnesota Human Rights Library Many documents and links to web sites
Human Rights Watch

PRIMARY MATERIALS

Bridge offers subject access to primary materials in the four libraries. They may be collected in sets, published as separate items after their significance is determined over time, or they might just be materials that have been in the library collection since they were first published. They also might be in magazines and journals from the last several centuries.

Keywords: To find primary documents in the book collection try adding these to your key word search:
Sources, correspondence, personal narratives, reminiscences, interviews, case studies
document*, reading*, memoir* autobiograph*, diary or diaries, letter*, speech*, account*

Date: Subject search by relevant topic and limit by publication date  (unfortunately, does not bring up old items republished recently)

Magazine and newspaper articles: These might be in paper or electronic form. Please ask a reference librarian for help.

Using Google: Instead of using Google Images, try searching your topic and the term "digital collections" in regular google. This is more likely to put you in a library, museum or other institutional repository (ie more authoritative).

Use OAIster to browse digital collections put forth by libraries, museums and other institutions.

TERTIARY SOURCES: ENCYCLOPEDIAS AND HANDBOOKS  

Handbooks
Europa Year Book [Year]: A World Survey. R.R. JN 1 .E85 Provides an introductory survey of recent history, government, basic population and production statistics, the names of government officials, majornews and special interest publications, and lists of political parties
Political Handbook of the World [Year]. R. R. JF 37 .P6 Similar to the above; includes additional sections on world and regional issues, a chronology of major international events, and a list of memberships in the UN and its specialized and related agencies.
World Development Report . R.R. HC 59.7 .W669 Reviews recent trends in the world economy and their implications for developing countries, role of foreign trade in the industrialization of developing countries, and an appendix with World Development Indicators.
World Resources. R. R. HC 10 .W827 "An assessment of the resource base that supports the global economy;". Includes foci on fresh water, food and agriculture, energy and minerals, etc.

Statistical Sources
China Facts and Figures Annual. R.R. 779 .I5 .C48
International Historical Statistics: Africa, Asia & Oceania, 1750-2000 R.R. HA4675.M552 2003
Lexis Nexis Statistical
The World's Women, 1995: trends and statistics. R.R. HQ 1154 .W95 1995
Statistical Yearbook [UN] R.R. HA 12.5 .U58
Statistical Abstract of the World R.R. HA 154 .S83
World Development Report R.R. HC 59.7 .W659 1997
Statistical Abstract of the United States Gov Docs C 3.134:98
Official Guide to Racial and Ethnic Diversity [in the US] R.R. E 184 .A1R8 1996

Yearbooks/Annual Reviews
China Briefing R.R. DS 779 .15 .C476/ India Briefing R.R. DS 401 .I55 An annual review of the Chinese or India scene. Includes topical essays, chronology for the year, census figures, bibliography and glossary.
Human Development Report . Provides detailed summary of the 1998 reports contents and many statistics. Archives back to 1990. Print version: HD72.H85
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices . Reserve Y4.IN8/16-15:996 US Department of State compilation of human rights practices
Amnesty International Report R.R. JC 571 .A45 Y1997. Other AI reports and documents available through the website.

Encyclopedias -- By topic or geographical region
Asia overall
Encyclopedia of Modern Asia [R.R. DS4.E53 2002]    Introductory articles, signed, with bibliographies .
Encyclopedia of Asian History . [R.R. DS31.E53 1988] Introductory articles, signed, with bibliographies, e.g. "Family and Marriage" or "Qing Dynasty" (and others) by our own Bob Entenmann.
Southeast Asia: A Historical Encyclopedia [R.R. DS524.S68 2004]

Japan
Kodansha Bilingual Encyclopedia of Japan.  [R.R. DS805 .K6323 1998]
    Alphabetical entries on geography to economics to arts to society.  Appendix includes chronologies, treaties, constitution, endangered species [this in Japanese only]. An earlier version, much more complete and still useful on many topics is the Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japan [R.R. DS805.K633]
Japan:  A Global Studies Handbook.  [R.R. DS 806.E45 2002]
Basic background.
Encyclopedia of Contemporary Japanese Culture.   [R.R. DS 822.5 .E516 2002]
    Introductory articles ranging from "Individualism" to "Manga" to "Feminism" to "Family, Gender and Society"
Encyclopedia of Japanese Pop Culture.  [R.R. DS822.5.S3 1997]
From blood typing to godzilla and Hello Kitty...
The Anime Encyclopedia:  A Guide to Japanese Animation since 1917.  [Carleton Ref  NC1766.J3C53 2001]
MIT Encyclopedia of the Japanese Economy   [R.R. HC 462.9 .H73 1999]
    Includes articles like "Corporate personnel practices," "Wage structure," and "Women in the work force."
Encyclopedia of Japanese business and management.   [HF 1001 .E467 2002]
Dictionary of the Modern Politics of Japan.  [R.R. JQ1605.S86 2003]

China
China:  A Global Studies Handbook.   [R.R. DS706.C4893 2003]
Modern China:  An Encyclopedia of History, Culture, and Nationalism. [R.R. DS 755.2 .M63 1998]
China Briefing .  [R.R. DS779.15.C476 2000]
Cultural Atlas of China. [R.R. DS 721 .B56 1998]

Korea
The Koreas:  A Global Studies Handbook.   [R.R. DS902.C65 2002]

South and Southeast Asia; Other Regions
Vietnam:  A Global Studies Handbook.  [R.R. DS556.3.W66 2002]
India: A Global Studies Handbook [R.R. DS 407.B63 2004]
Nepal and Bangladesh: A Global Studies Handbook [R.R. DS393.4.S55 2002]
Historical Dictionary of Nepal [R.R. DS610.4.C67 2006]
Encyclopedia of Singapore [R.R. DS 620.4.C67 2006]
Encyclopedia of Mongolia and the Mongol Empire [R.R. DS 798.4.A88 2004]

Art and Music Encyclopedias
Dictionary of Art [R.R. N31.D5 1996] (34 volumes; use index in vol. 34)
Index to Artistic biography [R.R. N40.H38]
Artists of the world: Bio-bibliographical index, A-Z [R.R. N40.A63 1999]
Grove music online

Religions
Encyclopedia of Buddhism [R.R. BQ 128.E62 2004]
Buddhism (Flammarion Iconographic Guides) [R.R. BQ5100.L68 1995]
Illustrated Encyclopedia of Zen Buddhism [R.R. BQ9259.B37 2002]
Encyclopedia of Monasticism [R.R. BL631.E53]
Historical Dictionary of Shinto [R.R. BL2216.1.P53 2002]
Muslim Almanac [R.R. BP40.M83 1006]
Encyclopedia of Christianity [R.R. BR95.E8913 1999]
World Christian Encyclopedia [R.R. BR157.W67 1982] (includes material on all religions in a country)

Education
World Education Encyclopedia [R.R. LB15.W87 2001]

Environment
Asia: A Continental Overview of Environmental Issues [R.R. GE160.A78H55 2003]

Customs and Culture
Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life [R.R. GN333.W67 1998] by country; includes religion, holidays, food, clothing, rites of passage, interpersonal relations, family, sports, entertainment, recreation, folk arts and crafts, social problems.
You eat what you are: People, culture and food traditions [R.R. GT2850.B37 1999]
Food culture in China stacks [TX724.5.C5N45 2004]
Food culture in Japan stacks [TX724.5.J3A88 2003]
Marriage customs of the world. [R.R. GT2690.M65 2004]
Encyclopedia of clothing and fashion. [R.R. GT 507 .E53 2005]
Berkshire encyclopedia of world sport [R.R. GV567.B48 2005]
Giants, monsters, and dragons: An encyclopedia of folklore, legend, and myth [R.R. GR825.R67 2000]
Traditional storytelling today: An international sourcebook [R.R. GR72.T73 1999]

Women
Greenwood encyclopedia of women 's issues worldwide [R.R. HQ1115.G74 2003]

Biographical Dictionaries

Political leaders of modern China : a biographical dictionary R.R. DS755.3 .P64 2002
Biographical dictionary of Chinese women R.R. HQ1767.5.A3 B56 1998
Who was who in the People's Republic of China R.R. DS778.A1 B32 1997
Modern Japanese writers R.R. PL723 .M563 2001
Medieval Japanese writers R.R.
Japanese fiction writers, 1868-1945 R.R. PL747.55 .M63 1997
Japanese fiction writers since World War II R.R. PL747.8 .J36 1997
Japanese women novelists in the 20th century : 104 biographies, 1900-1993 R.R. PL725 .S35 1994
Mission legacies : biographical studies of leaders of the modern missionary movement R.R. BV3700 .M55 1994

To compile your own library of citations and to "cite while you write," use

ENDNOTE

Instructions for Installation
Instructions for Using EndNote
Instructions for How Individual Databases Work with EndNote (on PCs)
Instructions for How Individual Databases Work with EndNote (on Macs)

Assembling a List of Works Cited in Your Paper Includes thorough examples from Turabian, Chicago, MLA, and APA style manuals. Provided by Duke University Libraries.