As I was researching for my Shakespeare term paper, I realized that even 16th century literature has an impact on technology. It didn't hit me until I came across several options for research materials that were in various different languages and applied to many different cultures. It would be extremely difficult to find these choices without internet and computer access. This online database is the best to use for Shakespeare studies because of its many materials and descriptions of them. The only problem is that it does not have the materials themselves; inconveniently, they just have the citation information and it is up to you to find it in your own library. This can be a challenge considering your library may not have full access to these articles or books.
In the past, when using this database, I have found information and titles that would be perfect and influential to my topic; that is, until I discovered the name of the journal where an article had come from. In other words, the journal was in a different language but the article itself was in English. Needless to say, after a couple of hours of desperate searching, I did not find the article in its entirety. Hence my many trips to Alexander Library in Rutgers-New Brunswick. There I was able to scour through the Shakespeare Quarterly journals and many volumes of the Shakespeare Survey.
Now, don't misunderstand: I did find articles and books to use through this database as well. It was mainly an inconvenience to have to find them ourselves, especially when they may not have even been in this country or language. But alas, I did very well on my term paper from my last class, and am determined to do so again, so this is where I shall remain.
How to use this database:
Step 1: Go on to the Sprague Library Website and click "Databases"
Step 2: Scroll all the way down and find "World Shakespeare Bibliography Online"
Step 3: Once on the database, click "Advanced Search" on the top
Step 4: Type in a keyword regarding topic to search. For example:
Step 5: Click on a result that fits best with your topic and research!
After finding a result, you need to search for it on the library website to see if they have it, and if they do, see if it is in stock.
HAPPY SHAKESPEARE!
Hey Allison,
ReplyDeleteReading this post made me smile because I remember using this database for my term paper for Shakespeare class as well. As you explained, it was very helpful, but also had its limitations. I remember finding many sources that seemed perfect for my paper topic, only to realize later that the books and articles that I had found were written in Japanese and were either unavailable in the U.S. or were not available in translation.
I think the World Shakespeare Bibliography is a great example of a technological resource that is helpful to students but still requires them to take responsibility for their own learning. As you explained in your post, this resource does a lot of work for the student by compiling comprehensive lists of possible sources. It is up to the student, however, to personally find those resources in print or online.
Thanks for sharing this!
Kate
Hi Allison,
ReplyDeleteI really like this post! First, because it gives such explicit and thorough instructions on how to use the World Shakespeare Bibliography Online. I love the use of photos to aid explanation. My second reason is because I am using it as well in our Shakespeare class. I never knew about this website until the class has a meeting in the library and we were instructed how to use this as a source. You are right--it would be VERY difficult to find these sources without a computer. It would be possible, absolutely, but difficult. This website is great because it posts reliable sources and it’s search engine allows users to narrow down exactly what they are searching for. I love how there are descriptions so we can dig further into what is beyond the title and we can see what it is about before reading it. I also like how there are dissertations, articles, and books that can be found rather than one time of source.
I know that the website does not provide the source themselves but it is a giant search engine to help us find what we are looking for so when we head to the library, we have a prepared list of what we want to find. But, you are right that this is difficult considering libraries might not have some of these sources. Though this is a con, overall, I think the website is really helpful as an aide in finding sources. You are right about databases that give great sources and then the journal is in a different language and it is hard to find the entire article. However, it is worth using the database to find sources on Shakespeare (every source will be about Shakespeare--guaranteed). If there is a source that cannot be attained, I can try and find a different one but at least I know I am using a database that will be focusing exactly on what I need to find. Also, when using this website I do recommend using it early on in the research process so users have ample time to check their local libraries and if a source is not there, send a request to the library for them to get it in (I know our school library has that option but it can take up to two weeks for them to receive the materials).
Again, I totally agree with you. It's wierd how we never realize what we actually have and the effect that it actually has on our lives until it's actually taken away from us (Hurricane Sandy) or until it is introduced to us (CURR 316). Just think, at least from our high school life, we have had internet access to information for any essay or research document that we had to complete. However, most likely we did not appreciate it, or realize how easily technology made it for us to find the information. Technology is definitely a gift that we all need to start appreciating more, escpecially when teaching our students.
ReplyDelete