Selected Reference Resources in Alderman Library
[Note: this useful 1996 resource guide has NOT been updated
since that time.
Many links do not work.]
Electronic Databases
I. World Wide Web pages:
- http://www.lib.virginia.edu/subjects/anthropology/ University Library's subject specialized Web page.
- http://www.anthro.net/ Access to resources - Anthropology on the Internet.
- http://www.virginia.edu/~anthro/ U.Va. Anth. Dept. homepage on the Web
II. Online Catalog - VIRGO
(including databases accessible through Virgo that reference
materials other than those linked directly to our library's
holdings):
III. Online Indexes
- ANTHLIT - (Anthropological Literature). Index to articles in journals. Anthropological Literature describes articles and essays on anthropology and archaeology, including art history, demography, economics, psychology, and religious studies. Updated quarterly, Anthropological Literature indexes articles two or more pages long in works published in English and other European languages from 1984 to the present. Anthropological Literature includes more than 110,000 records as of May 1997. (Up to 5 simultaneous users from UVa)
- PCI - Periodicals Contents Index - Covers publications from 1770 to 1991, contents of 1730 humanities and social science journals. UVA/VIVA only
- WorldCat -World's largest online comprehensive union catalog. For bibliographic verification and holdings information for over 12,000 libraries worldwide (including UVa). Use in connection with Inter Library Loan Service. [ Access by logging into VIRGO, then clicking on Other Databases, and then WorldCat, etc., and then WorldCat, near the bottom of the page.] You can also go to the non-VIRGO version of WorldCat.
- ArticleFirst Citations from nearly 12,500 journals in the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, etc. since 1990. (Part of OCLC First Search)
- ContentsFirst - Table of contents pages + holdings info for nearly 12,500 journals in many fields, since 1990. (Part of OCLC First Search)
- EventLine - Information about conferences, trade fairs, symposia scheduled worldwide (updated monthly). (Part of OCLC First Search)
- PapersFirst - Citations of papers presented at worldwide meetings, congresses, symposia. (Part of OCLC First Search)
- Dissertation Abstracts - Information about dissertations accepted at U.S. institutions since 1861 (abstracts since July1980), as well as some coverage for same from Canadian, British, and European schools. (Part of OCLC First Search)
- MLA Bibliography (WebSPIRS) 1963+ - (Modern Language Assn Bibliography) Folklore studies, reliable coverage of linguistics--not only treating modern European languages (e.g. thorough indexing of studies in North American Indian languages). [ Access by logging into VIRGO, then clicking on Other Databases, and then Humanities, and then MLA]
- Social Science Abstracts (VIRGO) 1983+ - Broad monthly coverage--including book reviews--of over 400 English-language journals, since 1983. [ Access by logging into VIRGO, then clicking on Other Databases, and then Social Sciences, and then SS Abstracts]
IV. CD-ROMS:
[Check with the Alderman Reference desk: they can help
you access these CD-ROMS; some are NetWorked and others
are individual CD-ROMS.]
- Bibliography of Native North Americans: Ethnographic bibliography of North America. Covers sources from 16th c.-. Search capacity cross-indexed by ethnic group, subject, author, etc. [About] [Go to
, check the box at the bottom of that page, then click on SEARCH]
- Electronic HRAF (Human Relations Area Files) An electronic version of HRAF (SEE Other Sources in the Library, HRAF). Beginning in 1995, each annual installment includes the conversion to electronic form of 10 existing files (+ updates) and additional documentation for 3-4 cultures new to the archive. CD-ROM at Alderman Reference Desk, CF00 0287. Pre-1995 microfiche in Periodicals Room with an index to 355 culture files.
- Religion Indexes. Citations for literature on all aspects of religion and theology [Go to
- SSCI (Social Sciences Citation Index) Ask for it at the Alderman Reference Desk, CF00 0016. A multi disciplinary database covering all areas of science and technology from agriculture, biology, chemistry, environmental sciences to engineering and applied sciences, medicine and physics. Print in Alderman Reference, Z7161 .S65 1989-1990
- America: History & Life. Citations, with abstracts, to social science and humanities scholarly literature on all aspects of U.S. and Canadian history, culture, and current affairs from prehistory to the present. Articles are abstracted from more than 2,100 journals published in approx. 40 languages. (Find under CD-ROM Network)
- Historical Abstracts. Citations and abstracts of articles, books and dissertations on world history and related areas of the social sciences and humanities, including culture, diplomacy, economics, international relations, and politics. (Find under CD-ROM Network)
- SPIN(Sponsored Programs Information Network) Funding opportunities (federal, nonfederal, & corporate), fellowships, etc. Good for locating sponsors appropriate to research objectives. HOWEVER: profiles of funding interests, allowable budget categories, application deadlines, and so forth are often out of date. (Find under CD-ROM Network) SEE ALSO (or instead): Funding for Anthropological Research GN42.C36 in the Reference Room, as well as other, annually updated print sources, such as Foundation Grants to Individuals LB 2336.F596 in the Reference Room.
V. Uncover,
Login. Get the full range of Uncover services, including
subsidized article delivery. Also an alert service which
emails you information about articles or table of contents
you have seleected.
UnCover indexes some 17,000 journals in all disciplines.
The customized service allows users to specify 50 journals
from which to receive table of contents updates via e-mail.
For the 1997-98 academic year, the library is subsidizing
full-text document delivery from UnCover via fax machine
(limited ot graduate and faculty. See UVa Carl Uncover.)
Other Reference Sources
Reference Guides
- Introduction to Library Research in Anthropology Z5111.W44 1991.
- Cultural Anthropology: A Guide to Reference and Information Sources Z5111.K53 1991
Directories
- AAA Guide to Departments and Members GN43.A2G84.
Encyclopedias and Dictionaries
- International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences H40.A2I5 1968.
This is a good source for entries on more general and long-established topics in the discipline, such as "kinship" or "acculturation," BUT nothing on more recent developments/interests, such as "hermeneutics" or "urban anthropology." Still, with articles of lasting significance and a useful retrospective bibliographical aid. 80 essays specifically on core anthropological concepts--also 60+ biographical treatments of anthropologists (still, the overall emphasis appears to be on sociology and psychology).
- Encyclopedia of social and cultural anthropology GN307 .E52 1996 in Clemons Reference. Single volume describing key concepts with short bibliographies.
- Encyclopedia of cultural anthropology GN307 .E52 1996 Alderman Reference. 4 volume set, arranged alphabetically.
- Macmillan Dictionary of Anthropology GN11.W5 1970.
Coverage is limited to social and cultural anthropology, but the overall quality of this dictionary seems to benefit from the constraint of focus (and single-authorship). With over 1,000 entries (incl. 150+ concise biographies). Includes entries on technical terms (and their history) as well as on more contemporary movements and areas of inquiry in the field, e.g."ethnoecology, "feminist anthropology," & "world systems." Extensive internal cross-referencing to other entries as well as to compilation selective bibliography of 600 titles of relevant readings.
- Companion Encyclopedia of Anthropology: Humanity, Culture and Social Life GN25.C65 1994.
This edited volume is a reference work, but something more in its interdisciplinary ambition, "namely, to lay the foundations for an integrated and synoptic perspective on the conditions of human life that is appropriate to the challenges of the next century." However, what it succeeds in providing is both a useful collection of more-or-less solid reviews of some of the main subfields of anthropology (including aspects of physical, cultural, and social anthropology, but with notable neglect of archaeology and psychological anthropology) and an unwitting illustrative sampling of the (irreconcilable?) diversity of theoretical perspectives currently ascendant in those human and social sciences conventionally associated with anthropology as a broad 4-fields discipline. Uneven in authorship and in choice of topics: some representative, authoritative essays by competent specialists, others more apparently idiosyncratic (e.g. owing to choice of theatre/performance studies professor to write chapter on "ritual").
- Dictionary of Concepts in Cultural Anthropology GN307.W56 1991.
While unfortunately limited to 80 entries, a highly recommended source (esp. for students new to the field) for concise theoretical/historical exposition of general topics and debates in the discipline (not a technical lexicon). Good for quick access to clarification of historical developments of ideas both prior to and within established anthropology as well as to necesary (if not sufficient) bibliographies attending each subject covered.
- International Dictionary of Anthropologists GN20.I48 1991.
Includes biographical (& bibliographical--ref's both by subject as author and about subject by others) entries on persons (both living and deceased) involved in all 4 fields of anthropology, including not only academics, but also travelers, missionaries, administrators, and others. True to its title, the coverage is broadly international; this source is especially interesting for historical purposes and for discovering the range of the plurality of anthropoplogies.
Atlases
- Price. Atlas of World Cultures G1045.E1 P7 1989.
A geographical guide to ethnographic books, articles, reports, archival materials, maps and atlases, and other materials of use to anthropologists. Contains 40+ regional outline maps identifying (appproximate) locations of 3,500 cultural groups; Index indicates appropriate no. map, bibliographic entries, & HRAF codes. More comprehensive distributional coverage than G.P. Murdock's atlas by the same title (in Alderman main stacks GN 345.3.M86 1981) while also cross-referenced to the latter for referral to more in-depth encyclopedic renderings of data on "sample" 563 cultures contained there. HOWEVER: far from comprehensive bibliographical source.
- Other maps:
**National/historical atlases in "Geography" section of Reference stacks (in the Gs).
**World & world regions, historical atlases in atlas shelves at the far back left wall of the Reference Room.
**Maps Room on Alderman 3rd floor West. Collection includes topographical maps of the world, maps from some foreign governments. Also GIS Lab, resource center for electronic mapping.
Indexes & Abstracts
- Abstracts in Anthropology 1970- GN1.A15
1-2 year time-lag. Only periodical that abstracts English-language anthropological literature. Covers approximately 300 journals mostly U.S. (up from 1/2 this prior to 1987). Four fields coverage: with issues alternating between cultural and linguistics/ archaeology & physical anthropology. HOWEVER, because of topical organization, less useful to area-oriented searches. Organized according to broad categories (e.g. kinship, medical anthropology, urban anthropology.) with both author and subject indexes.
- Note: Some serious shortcomings of this source: limited to indexing of U.S. publications; no cumulative indexes; no cross-referencing; inconsistent terminology; and some strange choices of highly specialized journals, e.g. "Romanian Journal of Gerontology & Geriatrics," which reflects the uncertainty of scope and audience.
- Anthropological Index 1963- Z5112.R7
2-3 year time-lag. Covers over 700 journals worldwide. Four fields of coverage. Organized by continent/geographic region; subdivided according to subfield in anthropology. So, good for area-studies approach, but less useful for topical research, e.g. when looking for citations on, "incest taboos" or "acculturation". NO SUBJECT INDEX (only author index).
- Anthropological Literature (Harvard's Tozzer Library) 1979- Z5112.A67
Soon on CD-ROM 1-2 year time-lag. Covers over 1200 serial publications --including journals, proceedings and irregular series. Indexes some 200 edited books per year by individually authored chapters. Four fields of coverage. Organized according to anthropological subfield. So, cultural anthropology citations are together with no subdivision according to geographical or topical focus. BUT the subject index compensates (can look up areas or ethnic group labels as well as other subject terms). 1983-88 in microfiche.
- International Bibliography of Social and Cultural Anthropology (BLPES) 1955- Z5111.I5
Significant time-lag. Physical anthropology, archaelogy, and linguistics included but limited citations. Indexes wide range of periodicals (over 700) in both English and European languages. Also books, conference proceedings, technical reports. Organized by general subject categories, each broken down into topical as well as geographic subdivisions, with subject index.
Book Reviews
NOTE: None of the above indexes include Book Review Citations. Use the following instead:
- Book Review Index and Combined Retrospective Index to Book Reviews in Scholarly Journals Index Table no. 2
- Reviews in Anthropology Z5111.R47 in Alderman main stacks.
Review essays on groups of books on a related theme. "Hit or miss" in so far as it is not predictable, not necesarily treating recent publications--rather providing anaytic syntheses of literature in specific areas put out over 2-3+ years ago. (Indexed in Book Review Index in the Reference Room at Index Table 2.) Other Resources in the Library
***REMINDER: Neither the print sources available in this room nor the electronic databases cover all bibliographic sources available in the library. The below listed and other even better known reference works, such as Annual Review of Anthropology, are located outside the reference collection. To begin further search for such items, use a keyword search on VIRGO:keyword=[subject of interest] and bibliographyand/or seek guidance at the Information Desk in the Main Hall at Alderman Library. Elsewhere you can find, for example:
- Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology Library Catalog Z5119.H351 Ald Stacks A gem "hidden" upstairs in the Stacks. Excellent source for completing deeply retrospective bibliography.
- Anderson. Southwestern Archaeology Z1208.s68 A53 1982 Ald Stacks
- Brunvand Folklore: A Study and Research Guide Z5981.B78 Ald Stacks
- HRAF (Human Relations Area Files) Ald Periodicals/Microforms Rm.
An "archive" of data derived from over 5,500 sources organized according to specific categories of human activities to facilitate cross-cultural comparisons. Contains files of historic and descriptive info. on a "sample" of over 330 ethnic, national, and religious groups worldwide. Still involves use of the old manual retrieval system originally developed (but SEE ALSO Electronic Databases re: Electronic HRAF on CD-ROM). Good place to find otherwise inaccessible primary sources (many individually cataloged in VIRGO); many translations into English (from 15+ foreign languages) not available elsewhere.
- United States documents
United States documents published after 1976 are included in VIRGO. Check with Documents staff for material published before 1976.
- Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution was founded in 1846 as "an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge." In addition to the museums it maintains the Smithsonian funds research, publishes, preserves artifacts, and runs educational programs. The Smithsonian has always had a strong interest in documenting the traditional ways of Native Americans.
- Annual Report of the Smithsonian. SI 1.1:yr.
Often contains short reports of research.
-
Handbook of North American Indians. SI 1.20/2:vol.
-
Smithsonian Contributions of Anthropology. SI 1.33:no.
-
General Smithsonian publications SI 1.2:
- Bureau of Ethnology, Smithsonian Institution
- Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology.
SI 2.1:yr.
1931 - Index to vols. 1-48 (1879-1931)
Contains reports similar to those in the Bulletins.
- Bulletins. SI 2.3:no.
Lengthy research reports primarliy on Native Americans.
Pamunkey Indians of Virginia (1894) SI 2.3:17
- Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology.
SI 2.1:yr.
- Annual Report of the Smithsonian. SI 1.1:yr.
- International documents
International documents published after 1989 are included in VIRGO. Check with Documents staff for material published before 1989.
- Foreign
Broadcast Information Service. Daily Reports.
Full text of articles and broadcast transcripts from
around the world.
- FBIS Index to the above daily reports. (
CD-ROM Nework)
- Foreign
Broadcast Information Service. Daily Reports.
Full text of articles and broadcast transcripts from
around the world.
- Maps. United States
Geological Survey + Defense Agency maps of foreign countries.
- The Map/GIS room is on the 3rd Floor, West wing
of Alderman. Most maps are cataloged in VIRGO. Try
a search like:
keywords=virginia and map$ - USGS topographic maps I 19.81:state/quad/year
To the left of the Map/GIS room entrance.
- The Map/GIS room is on the 3rd Floor, West wing
of Alderman. Most maps are cataloged in VIRGO. Try
a search like:
[Revised from and based on Edward Abse's Anthroplogy Resources in Alderman Library, who orginally developed, organized, and presented this information in the Fall of 1996.]
fax: 434.924.1431