Using the NIU Music Library -- Research - NIU - University Libraries

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Using the NIU Music Library

Using the NIU Music Library -- Research

Research Projects in Music

  • Bibliography Building
  • Remember these steps. Over time, the tools used for research will change with the widespread implementation of new technologies. The basic concepts of library research will remain the same. You will apply the same ideas to new tools.
  • Focus your topic as much as possible.
  • If you are not ready to write a thesis statement, then do some background reading and at least write a working thesis statement to guide your research. You can change it later.
  • Use your thesis statement as a guide for building the bibliography.
  • You should search for a variety of types of sources. Types of sources include the following:
  • To find these types of sources, follow these procedures:
    • To find Books, Scores, and Sound Recordings: Use a Library Catalog
      • Our Catalog – The catalog of the Northern Illinois University Libraries.
      • I-Share – The catalog of 65 libraries in the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI). Very useful for Interlibrary Loan.
      • WorldCat – The Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) master database linking many library catalogs in the English-speaking world. The largest library “catalog” in the world. Also very useful for Interlibrary Loan. Click here to access the Books and More page. You can click on "World Cat" from the "Books and More" page to get to World Cat on FirstSearch. You will have to log in with an NIU library identification number if you are off campus.
    • To find Journal Articles: Use a Periodical Index Click here to read about accessing our databases from off-campus. You must be using the NIU campus network to access the following databases.
    • To find Reference Sources:
      • Consult Music Reference and Research Materials: An Annotated Bibliography, by Vincent Duckles and Ida Reed, 5 th ed. (MUR ML113.D83 1997). Links from the chapter on electronic resources is available online at http://www.lib.ku.edu/musiclib/duckles.shtml (it is also available by clicking the link on the music subject page of the NIU Library Website).
    • Using the World Wide Web
      • Links to selected music Websites are located on the music subject page.
      • Search engines: Google, Lycos, AltaVista, Excite, HotBot, AlltheWeb, etc., use keyword searching, and some use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT).
      • The WWW has no built-in quality control. Anyone can publish on the Web. Evaluate Websites carefully before using them for research! Know why you want to use them.
    • Finding other sources, such as dissertations, archival material, etc.
      • Doctoral Dissertations in Musicology (DDM) and ProQuest Digital Dissertations can be used to find dissertations. DDM is available from the music subject page. ProQuest Digital Dissertations can be selected from the list of databases available on the NIU Library Website.
      • Academic Universe (LexisNexis) can be used to locate news articles. Also check the Chicago Tribune online.
      • RISM (this is partially in print beginning with call no. MUR ML113 .I6 Ser.A v.1 pt.1, and partially online) can be used to locate music manuscripts. Other archival materials can be found on WorldCat.
      • Archival material is generally cataloged by collection, rather than by individual item. Access is often provided to collections with archival finding aids. Sometimes these may be available online. On-site research is usually required to fully access the resources of archival collections.
    • Reporting your Research: Using Style Manuals.
      • Use whatever style is required by your professor. Generally, however, the Chicago Manual of Style (also available in print under call no. MUR Z253 .U69 2003), or Turabian’s A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers (MUR LB2369 .T8 2007) are expected for papers in music fields. Other styles include MLA (Modern Language Association), and APA (American Psychological Association). Another helpful guide to writing is A Short Guide to Writing About Music by Jonathan Bellman (MUR ML3797 .B4 2007). This is a guide to academic writing in music for undergraduates. It contains helpful hints that graduate students can use, too.
    • Ask Questions!