Finding information: Classics & Ancient History resources
Nicola Conway October 2011
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Aims of the session To help you: Identify, find & evaluate
relevant sources of information Use the library effectively, and
make the most of our services and resources Know who to contact for
further help
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The Library (Print) Print: Most resources for Classics &
Ancient History are on Level 1 in the Main Library Level 3:
Latin/Greek language; sculpture; numismatics; ceramics Level 4:
Archaeology; Roman/Greek History
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The Library (Online) General support:
http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/current/ Subject information pages:
http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/classics/ Resources for Classics and
Ancient History http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/classics/info_skills/
Specific resources and an outline of how to begin your
research
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Subject Specific Support: http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/classics
http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/classics
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4 steps to finding information1. Identify keywords 2. Decide
where to search 3.Search 4. Review results
http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/using/finding/
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1. Identify Keywords Identify keywords from your topic: Analyse
the design of Greek costume Advanced searching techniques:
Synonyms: costume OR clothing \ design OR pattern Truncation:
design* to locate designs, designer, designed Phrases: Greek
costume Wildcards: colo?r to locate colour or color Joining Words:
AND, OR, NOT
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2. Decide where to search Questions to ask yourself: What
information do you need? Overview of a topic, theory, idea,
concept? Encyclopaedias and Dictionaries (online and in print)
Background information? Textbook/E-book Information on the latest
research? Journal Article Conference Paper News item
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3. Search: The Library Catalogue Great if you have a specific
reference or a broad research topic Can be searched using a variety
of methods Specific Reading list Author/Title (combined) for known
item Keyword / Subject searches for topics Can add items to basket
and email results Can save borrowing history Searches for print and
electronic resources but does not search within them
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3. Search : Online Databases Databases search a wide range of
journal articles Some contain the full text JSTOR Some only provide
bibliographic information LAnne Philologique Web of Knowledge Use
ConneXions to see if Durham subscribes to the content No single
database will cover everything
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3. Search: Other online resources E-books : Cambridge
collections online: cross-searchable database which includes the
Cambridge Companions Complete CollectionCambridge collections
online News Items: Infotrac custom newspapers - online full text
archive of UK broadsheetsInfotrac custom newspapers Websites:
Perseus Digital Library - full text primary and secondary sources
for the study of ancient Greece and RomePerseus Digital
Library
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4. Review your results Are your results useful? Do you need to
change your keywords or search in a different database? Use one
record to find similar useful resources Evaluate the quality of
your sources particularly if they are found on the internet Keep
references e-mail yourself useful references
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Where to get further help Help and Information Point on Level 2
Online enquiries form:
http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/using/enquiries/http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/using/enquiries/
Subject information pages:
http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/classics/http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/classics/
Academic Support Team: Nicola Conway Classics & Ancient
History
