Steps for Doing Research

A. Reference Works - Main Floor: Start with these and skim the shelves nearby for additional resources. Also look for references at the end of the section within the book and type those titles into the online catalog for more resources.

Origin of Words/Symbols
1. Dictionary of Art Ref N31 D5 1996
2. Dictionary of Word Histories Ref PE 1580 C27 1999
3. Encyclopedia of Ephemera Ref NC 1280 R52 2000+
4. The Facts on File dictionary of design and designers Ref NK1165 .J47 1984
5. The Facts on File Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins Ref PE 1689 H47 1997+
6. Famous first facts : a record of first happenings, discoveries, and inventions in American history Ref AG5 .K315 1997
7. Illustrated Dictionary of Ornament Ref NK 1165 S72
8. The Oxford English Dictionary Ref PE 1625 O87 1989.
9. Visual Arts Research Ref N 85 P55 1986

Signs and symbols --Several reference books under Subject heading and restricted to reference.
a. The Continuum encyclopedia of symbols Ref AZ108 .B4313 1994
b. A dictionary of graphical symbols Ref Z250 .R683
c. Dictionary of symbols Ref BL603 .L5413 1991
d. The dictionary of symbols in Western art Ref N7740 .C29 1995
e. The element encyclopedia of symbols Ref AZ 108 B4313 1994
f. Handbook of pictorial symbols : 3,250 examples from international sources Ref AZ108 .M63 1976
g. The illustrated book of signs & symbols Ref AZ108 .B78 1996 +
h. Shepherd's glossary of graphic signs and symbols; compiled and classified for ready reference Ref and Phys Sci Ref AZ108 .S53
i. Signs + emblems : a collection of international examples Ref T324 .Z4413 1984
j. Symbols, signs & signets Ref AZ108 .L523 +
k. Symbol sourcebook; an authoritative guide to international graphic symbols Ref AZ108 .D74
l. Symbols: signs and their meaning and uses in design Ref N7740 .W52 1971

B. Online Catalog for Additional Books http://www.library.umass.edu/cgi-bin/aka/babel.cgi?dokma=http://umlibr.library.umass.edu
Subject Headings versus Keyword

1. Information design -- not a subject heading
2. Examples of Subject Headings in online catalog http://www.library.umass.edu/cgi-bin/aka/babel.cgi?dokma=http://umlibr.library.umass.edu :
Color in design; graphic design; icon painting; logos; semiotics; symbolism in art
3. Keyword options in the Online Catalog
a. Drawing and Design (subject headings are too broad-- (drawing, fashion drawing etc.)
b. Icon and art (so much is related to theology or literature)
c. Icon and idea; the function of art in the development of human consciousness N70 .R35

C. Databases for Journal Articles

1. Expanded Academic Index (try your terms in keyword with and between the words) http://www.library.umass.edu/research/html/asap.html
2. Art Index --see http://www.library.umass.edu/research/bytitletxt.html

D. The Web

a. Image Search on the Web
1. Google: http://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en
2. Lycos http://multimedia.lycos.com/
3. DGUSA.com http://www.dgusa.com/dgstore/a/home.htm
4. EyeWire http://www.eyewire.com/

b. Art Information and the Internet Ref N59 J66 1999
c. Subject Web Pages
d. General Art Handout http://www.library.umass.edu/instruction/handouts/art.html
e. List of all Databases: http://www.library.umass.edu/research/bytitletxt.html
f. Suggested Database: Expanded Academic Index http://www.library.umass.edu/research/html/asap.html
g. Patents and Trademarks Web Page: http://www.library.umass.edu/subject/science/scieng8.htm
h. Online Tours of the Library: http://www.library.umass.edu/instruction/index.html

Prepared by Lori S. Mestre, M.A.L.S., Ed.D
lori.mestre@library.umass.edu
Coordinator of Instructional and Curriculum Support Services
W.E.B. Du Bois Library
University of Massachusetts Amherst 01003 2/1/02