Research skills for Theatre students

Planning your search strategy – step 1 Spend some time thinking about your topic Break down your topic Keywords and phrases

Step 2 – the search words Consider alternative terms e.g. devising OR directing Consider alternative spellings, word endings, plurals e.g. theatre OR theater Truncate using asterisks e.g. perform* will find perform, performance, performers, performing

Step 3 – linking search words together AND search – combining two different subjects together, e.g. improvisation AND rehearsal OR search – alternative words/phrases, e.g. reading AND realisation NOT search – excluding words/phrases, e.g. agit-prop NOT literature Words as a phrase e.g., avant-garde; experimental theatre

Step 4 – choosing databases Consider subject area Be open minded! Types of sources covered Amount of information provided

Useful databases Academic OneFile Index to Theses International Bibliography of Theatre & Dance Literary Reference Center MLA Zetoc

Additional databases Cinahl, AMED & IBTD (e.g. drama/theatre and therapy, disability and theatre, etc.) British Education Index (e.g. drama and the curriculum) Emerald (e.g. theatre and business) PsychInfo; Cinahl (e.g. theatre and mental health) Historical Abstracts; IBTD (e.g. theatre and Holocaust)

Other resources OIAster (digital resources) Library catalogues such as WorldCat or COPAC Websites link on subject page including Intute Google Scholar – searches for articles outside the scope of our databases

Step 5 – searching and modifying Different databases will use different search terms limit to searching within different indexes limit to years of publication limit to types of document e.g. books, journals, etc.

Evaluation Once you have found useful articles consider the following: Authority Currency Coverage Objectivity Accuracy

Step 6 – results achieved! Is the item full text? Is the item held in the Learning Centre? Do you need to apply for an Inter Library loan?

Getting hold of materials not in stock Allocation of 30 ILLs – from start of 2 nd year to end of final year Green ILL forms for articles, blue for books, theses, etc., or use the online forms on the Library webpages Allow at least one week for the material to arrive See the Library webpages for Inter Library loans

At York St John University Follow the Harvard style of Referencing Record all references as you work Acknowledge all sources used.

Further help Having trouble finding articles? Book a one-to-one with Lottie Alexander - Or ask for help at the Information & Help desk on the 1 st floor of the Learning Centre