Multi-Disciplinary Research  

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Text and Animated tutorials to help you track down resources in Philosophy

Exploring the "literature" for a multidisciplinary topic may require that you start by investigating new terminology. Keep in mind that different disciplines may use different words to describe the same phenomena, or a word may mean something very specific within a discipline, in contrast to how it is used in everyday language. To become familiar with word usage in a discipline, look it up in in a "subject reference source "first (Subject Encyclopedia or Subject Dictionary) to untangle terminology, and use the "suggested subject" links within the databases to find related materials/ headings.

Some tips for exploratory research on a multidisciplinary topic in the databases: When doing cross-disciplinary research 1) be ready to use both multidisciplinary databases (wide but shallow) and supplement that search in additional subject-specific databases (gives more depth)  2)  be ready with synonyms for a given word when in executing a search in another "discipline"  3) if you  are looking for an overview or for specific comparative elements look for articles that have some of the following "keywords" in the title, e.g.:  "overview," "review," "case study," "policy,"  "survey of the literature."  Alternatively, if looking for a specific moral appraisal, try "ethics," "professional guidelines" "professional code" "comparative analysis," "social justice" 4) look at the  bibliography/references section of an article if you see a reference that looks helpful. 5) look for indicators of articles or thinkers who are "important" on that topic, preferably in more than one discipline. (e.g.: perhaps the article, work or author have been cited extensively; this information can be found in Citation indexes--if available--and Google scholar).

What to use, and when: Databases and catalogs are good for finding the breadth and depth of the information, articles and books that available to you when you are armed with a topic; GoogleScholar (federated searching with "Check for Full" text engaged) and WorldCat are good for finding where in the world something is, when you are armed with a citation.

Different disciplines use different citation styles. By importing references into RefWorks, you can automatically generate an MLA bibliography more easily for works from various disciplines -- you can then switch them all over to APA or a specific Journal style by choosing a different "output style". In addition RefWorks can help you 1) organize your research and 2) add comments in the abstract field to create annotated bibliographies.

If you get stuck or would like more help, contact any of our subject or reference library faculty, we are ready to help, in person, by phone, email or SMS service!

The four main Databases below allow you to execute a broad search over many types of resources: (Schoalrly Journals, newpapers, trade and industry publications).  EBSCO and ProQuest broadly cover humanities and social sciences; LexisNexis concentrates on Law and News; Science Direct covers business, as well as science articles.