Search Tools
Start with the Tripod Catalog. Click on the "Search Tips" tab in this guide to see more information about how to best search for materials on Tripod. Remember, if something is checked out, use EZ Borrow or ILL (interlibrary loan) to request it--DO NOT recall the book. It takes too long!
Use WorldCat only if you are trying to find *everything* written about a topic, or you want to know what libraries hold a specific item. WorldCat is a massive resource and it can get kind of overwhelming.
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TripodTripod now searches for individual journal articles as well as the Tri-College libraries’ collection of books, journal titles, multimedia materials, databases and more.
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WorldCatA catalog of the holdings of books, journals, and other materials held by OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) member libraries. Includes manuscripts, maps, films and sound recordings. Covers works published before 1,000 BC-present.
Fundamental Databases
BEST BET! JSTOR. See below.
Take a look at the following list of databases (a one-stop shop for academic journal articles) and begin searching for articles on your topic. Remember to be flexible--if one search doesn't work, try a different one. If one database doesn't seem to have what you need, move on to another. If you have too many hits, try adding a search term, or specifying a search term. If you have too few hits, try expanding your search term. See the "Search Tips" tab in this guide for more advice.
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JSTORProvides full-text and page images from many of the top journals in most academic disciplines. Coverage is from the inception of the journal through three to five years ago.
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Bibliography of Asian StudiesProvides citations to journal articles, book chapters, conference proceedings, anthologies, and Festshriften on all subjects pertaining to East, Southeast, and South Asia. Covers 1971-present. Complete citations end with the 1991 records. Since 1992, newly published books are no longer being added.
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ProQuest Research LibraryProvides citations and full-text magazine and journal articles in a wide variety of disciplines, both scholarly and popular in scope. Covers 1971-present.
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Historical AbstractsProvides abstracts of journal articles, books, book reviews and dissertations that cover world history from 1450 to the present (excluding the U.S. and Canada which are covered in "America: History and Life"). Includes publications from 1953-present.
Swarthmore has access to the full text. -
Dissertations & ThesesProQuest Dissertations and Theses is a collection of scholarly research in the Humanities and Social Sciences that consists of 2.7 million searchable citations to dissertations and theses from around the world, and 1.2 million full-text dissertations that are available for download in PDF format. Coverage is from 1861 to the present day.
Specialized Databases and Resources
Depending on your topic there may be other databases that will be useful for your research. Check the appropriate subject guide in the Research Guides.
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MLA International BibliographyProvides citations to journal articles, books, working papers, conference proceedings, bibliographies, and other materials. Areas covered include literature, language, linguistics, film, theatre and folklore. Covers 1926-present.
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CiNiiIndexes articles from Japanese publications.
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China Academic JournalsSearchable full-text database of Chinese journals.
BMC and SC subscribed collections: Literature/History/Philosophy and Politics/Military Affairs/Law.
HC subscribed collection: Literature/History/Philosophy. -
Scripta SinicaProvides full text to over 460 titles of the traditional Chinese classics, especially those related to Chinese history.
Also known as Han ji dian zi wen xian zi liao ku. -
ProQuest Performing Arts DatabaseThis database, formerly known as "International Index to the Performing Arts" provides abstracts and full-text to journal articles. Covers a broad spectrum of the arts and entertainment industry including dance, film, television, theater, opera, and broadcasting. Covers 1864-present.
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Film Literature IndexThe most important index for Film Studies. Offers citations to articles, film reviews and book reviews from film and television journals from 30 countries. The journals range from scholarly to popular titles. Covers the years between 1976-2001. (The print version of this index covers 1973-2004.)
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Asian Film OnlineOffers a view of Asian culture as seen through the lens of the independent Asian filmmaker. Through a selection curated by film scholars and critics, viewers can explore the impact of globalization and urbanization on people's lives throughout the greater Asian region.
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Art IndexOffers abstracts of journals, museum bulletins and yearbooks in the fields of art, architecture, decorative arts and photography. Covers abstracts from 1929-present, full-text articles 1997-present.
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ARTbibliographies ModernProvides abstracts of journal articles, books, essays, exhibition catalogs, dissertations, and exhibition reviews on all areas of modern and contemporary art including photography, sculpture and art history and theory. Covers late 1960's-present.
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International Bibliography of ArtProvides coverage of scholarship on European art from late antiquity to the present, American art from the colonial era to the present, and global art since 1945; visual arts, decorative and applied arts, museum studies and conservation, archaeology and classical studies, antiques and architectural history; scholarship from 500 core journals, plus detailed coverage of monographs, essay collections, conference proceedings and exhibition catalogues. International coverage, with at least 60% of records from non-English-language publications.