This document provides guidance on finding information for coursework in drama. It outlines key library resources such as LibrarySearch and subject guides. It describes different types of information like books, journals, databases, newspapers and websites. It provides details on where to locate each type and includes examples. The document also offers tips on using LibrarySearch, developing search strategies, evaluating sources and determining what makes a good source. Contact information is provided for library assistance.

1. Library Services
Finding information for your
course
libguides.rhul.ac.uk/Drama
5th November 2014
Kim Coles
@RHUL_Library

2. Department
Key Library Resources
Use LibrarySearch for items on your reading list: http://librarysearch.rhul.ac.uk
Use your Subject Guides for databases, including reference material:
http://libguides.rhul.ac.uk/Drama
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3. Department
Types of Information
3
Books Academic journals Databases
Newspapers
Websites
Encyclopaedia Dictionary
…

4. Department
Types of Information – and where to find them
4
Books
- Library – use LibrarySearch ‘Books, Music and Films’ search to
check
- Databases such as Drama Online, Literature Online, etc.
e.g. Wiles, David. A Short History of Western Performance Space.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003. Print.
Academic journals
- Library – use LibrarySearch ‘All’ or ‘Journals by Title’ search to
check
- Databases such as JSTOR, ProjectMUSE, MLA International
Bibliography, etc
e.g. Nicholson, Helen. ‘The Performance of Memory’. Drama Australia
27.2 (2003): 79-92. Print.
Databases
- Library – use the Drama subject guide to find a full list

5. Department
Types of information
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Newspapers
- Library – use LibrarySearch or the Nexis database to find specific
articles
- General web – search for newspaper titles (limited access!)
e.g. Billington, Michael. Rev. of Pericles, dir. Kathryn Hunter.
Guardian 6 June 2005: 24. Print.
Websites
- Think about how you evaluate free web resources, and ask your
lecturers and the Library if you’ve questions:
http://prezi.com/q5jglgamre6c
e.g. Waller, Gary. ‘Teaching the late plays as family romance’.
Shaksper: The Global Electronic Shakespeare Conference. Ed. Hardy M.
Cook. N.d.Web. 1 Aug. 2009.
Dictionaries, encyclopaedias, other reference material
- Use the Drama Subject guide to find a full list under ‘Reference e-resources’

6. Department
Types of information
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Performance
- Use Box of Broadcasts, or DigitalTheatrePlus to view recordings of
performances
- Go to the theatre!
e.g. Here’s What I Did With My Body One Day. By Dan Rebellato. Dir.
Andy Lavender. Perf. David Annen, Colin Hurley, Paul Murray, Danny
Scheinmann. Pleasance Theatre, London. 7-31 Oct. 2004. Performance.
Broadcast – film and TV
- Use Box of Broadcasts to view recordings online
- Use LibrarySearch ‘Books, Music and Films’ tab to find DVDs in the
Library
e.g. Macbeth. Dir. Roman Polanski. Perf. Jon Finch, Francesca Annis.
1971. Cinema Club, 1998. Videocassette.
e.g. Emily Rising. By Dan Rebellato. Dir. Polly Thomas. The Afternoon
Play. BBC Radio 4. 24 Aug. 2001. Radio.

7. Department
Using LibrarySearch
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8. Department
Using LibrarySearch
Search Options
• Use ALL to search for journal articles, newspaper articles, books, DVDs,
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book reviews etc….
• Use BOOKS, MUSIC AND FILMS to search for a book, a DVD, or a CD
(including e-books)
• Use JOURNALS BY TITLE to search for access to a particular journal
e.g. Asian Theatre Journal
• Use ADVANCED SEARCH to run a really specific search – great if you
know the author, title, year information.

9. Department
Using LibrarySearch
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Show Only
• Limit to scholarly journals
• Limit to online only (e-books, e-journals)
• Limit to books available in the Library

10. Department
Using LibrarySearch
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Date Range
• Limit to a particular range of dates

11. Department
Using LibrarySearch
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Type of material
Look out for
• Articles
• Books
• Newspapers

12. Department
Using LibrarySearch
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Anything else?

13. Department
How to find good information
1. What exactly is the topic you are searching for?
2. What are the main concepts or keywords for your topic?
3. Are there are alternative terms for these concept?
4. How might you combine these keywords to search effectively?
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Lego bicycle by Do-Hyun Kim CC BY-ND. Flickr.

14. Department
Thinking about keywords
Think about the ways in which the words you are searching for might be interpreted.
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15. Department
Searching for the essay question
Search engines and databases organise information using a controlled
vocabulary e.g. assigning certain words to certain concepts.
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ECLAIR
PATISSERIE
cakes, bakery, pastries, French pastries…
PROFITEROLE,
choux pastry,
choux bun
GATEUX, cake
L-R clockwise: Ein Eclair fur Kevin aus New York City by ingrid eulenfan CC BY-SA. Miniature French Patisserie by Stephanie
Kilgast CC BY-NC-ND. Mango Mousse Gateaux by suziedepingu CC BY-NC-ND. Profiteroles by Danielle Tsi CC BY-SA. All: Flickr.

16. Department
Searching for the essay question
Searching for only one keyword limits the number of things you’ll find
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Articles written
on the topic
you’re studying
Articles listed
under one
keyword

17. Department
How do you know if it’s any good?
Authority
• Who is the author? Are they qualified? Has the work been peer-reviewed or
edited?
Accuracy
• Is there a reference list? Are links to other information sources provided?
Objectivity
• Is the information biased? What is its purpose? Who is it aimed at?
Date
• When was the information created/updated? Is it well-maintained?
Coverage
• Is the information too basic? Too advanced? Relevant and appropriate?
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18. Department
Final Tips
Read your reading lists carefully
Use the limits on the left-hand side of the
page to make results more manageable
Write down a keyword list and add to it as
you search
Use reference lists to find out links in
research
Try different keywords
Try different databases
Be critical of your results – are they what you
need?
18
Glasses by Thomas Hawk CC BY-NC. Flickr.

19. Department
Questions?
Kim Coles
Information Consultant
2-07 Bedford Library
Royal Holloway University of London
k.coles@rhul.ac.uk
01784 404107
libguides.rhul.ac.uk/English
19 Leo Reynolds. Flickr. CC-BY-NA
Library
Services