Best Bets for Starting Your Research in...

:: Asian Studies::

Use databases to find articles on your topic. These databases are the best place to start.

• CIAO (Columbia International Affairs Online)
  

  CIAO is a source for theory and research in international affairs. It publishes a wide range of scholarship that includes working papers from university research institutes, occasional papers series from NGOs, foundation-funded research projects, proceedings from conferences, books, journals and policy briefs.
  Coverage: 1991-Present

• JSTOR
  

  Contains archive images of searchable scholarly journals in various disciplines. Full content of 18 journals in Asian studies, in some cases covering as far back as 1843.
  Listen to a fun podcast "interview" with this database: iTunes RealPlayer

• MLA International Bibliography
  

  Part of the Literature Online (LION) Database, MLA Bibliography includes citations and abstracts to literary criticism, linguistics, language, folklore, etc.
  Coverage: 1926-Present

• PAIS International & Archive
  

  Citations and abstracts to articles, books, conference proceedings, government documents, and statistical directories in economic, political science, public administration, and international law.
  Coverage: 1915-Present

• Web of Science
  

  A multidisciplinary database covering the journal literature of the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Includes book reviews.
  Coverage: 1994-Present
  

Tips: When searching databases, use AND, OR, and parentheses to focus your search.

The asterisk * symbol will search for all variations of a word. For example: Asia* will search for Asia and Asian. Using quotes will search for a phrase.

Combine synonyms with OR and put them inside parentheses, like this:

Asia* AND (film OR cinema)

Here's another example:

(Asia* OR Chinese) AND philosopher

 

Already have the citation? Find an article with citation linker!

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Find books using the library catalog. Browse these subjects to get general information on your topic.

1. Chinese Philosophy
2. Asian Literature
3. Asian Biography
4. Asian Politics

5. India-Buddhism
   

Search the library catalog! Find books, media materials, and more.

Other searches:
Browse | Advanced Search

Tips: When searching the library catalog with keywords, use the dollar sign ($) to
search for a word and all of its variations.

For example: Americ$ will search for America and American

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Reference tools such as dictionaries and encyclopedias are good places to start your research because they provide an overview of the topic as well as keywords, dates, and facts.

Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, and Handbooks

• Columbia Chronologies of Asian History and Culture
  Ref. DS33 .C63 2000

• The Columbia Companion to modern East Asian literature
  Ref. PL493 .C55 2003

• Encyclopedia of Asian theatre
  Ref. PN2860 .E53 2007 v.1 v2

• Encyclopedia of Asian philosophy
  Ref. B121 .E53 2001

• Encyclopedia of China : the essential reference to China, its history and culture
  Ref. DS705 .P47 1999

• Oxford Chinese dictionary : English-Chinese, Chinese-English = Ying-Han, Han-Ying
  Ref. PL1455 .O94 2003

• Kodansha encyclopedia of Japan
  Ref. DS805.K633 1983 V.1-9

• Southeast Asia : a historical encyclopedia, from Angkor Wat to East Timor
  Ref. DS524 .S68 2004 V.1-3

• Encyclopedia of India
  Ref. DS405 .E556 2006 V.1-4
  

Tips: Try looking at the bibliography at the end of the entry for a list of other sources such as relevant journal articles and books.

When you have found books on your topic, look at the books on the shelf nearby to see if they are related to your topic.

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These web sites have been evaluated by librarians (that's a good thing) for your use in an academic setting.

• The Association for Asian Studies Links & Resources List
  

  http://www.aasianst.org/links/links.htm

• Asian Studies WWW Virtual Library
  http://coombs.anu.edu.au/WWWVL-AsianStudies.html

• East and Southeast Asia: An Annotated Directory of Internet Resources
  http://newton.uor.edu/Departments&Programs/AsianStudiesDept/

• Portal to Asian Internet Resources
  http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/PAIR/

• Modern Chinese Literature and Culture Resource Center
  http://mclc.osu.edu/
  
  Tips: Any web site can be changed without notice, so be sure to evaluate every site you use.

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Use these short e-learning modules to get quick answers!

• Find a video/DVD in the catalog
• Find an e-book in the catalog
• Generate a bibliography automatically using RefWorks
  • RefWorks import/export directions
  • RefWorks login information
  • Refworks tutorial

Still have questions?

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