Doing Research in Anthropology: Search Strategies

Research Process

Keyword Searching

Use keyword when your term may be very new, very distinctive, or jargon, e.g. "instant messaging", "XML".
Use a variety of keywords. There may be additional items on your topic that use different terms.
Be aware that you may retrieve items not related to your topic (called false drops)
When you cannot remember the exact title of an item, do a keyword search using the title words you remember.

To save items:

From a multiple item results list, select the checkboxes next to the items you wish to save, then click .
In an individual record, click .

To export items:

To e-mail, print or download saved items, click the "View Saved" button.
Choose an export format:
- "Brief Display" includes publication information only.
- "Full Display" includes location, call number, subject headings, and other descriptive information.
- "End-Note/RefWorks" to export citations for use in EndNote Web, EndNote Desktop, or Refworks.
Under "Send list to" choose an export method:
- For e-mail: select E-mail and provide a "Mail To" address and subject line
- For printing: select screen (you will use the browser's print function)
- For saving as a text (.txt) file or other file format: select local disk
Click Submit.

Check the Status field of the book's record in the catalog.
- IN LIBRARY - book is available for checkout.
- DUE + date - book has already been checked out.
The Location field shows the general location of the book.
- Most books are on the 2nd and 3rd floors.
- For other locations, check the location codes table.
The Call # field gives the book's call number, which serves as the book's address in the library. Each row of books on the 2nd and 3rd floors will have a sign at the end indicating which call numbers can be found on that row.