Research Databases/ Reference
MLA Citation
Examples and explanations at Purdue's OWL site:
Citations show the research path someone took to develop an idea, and they provide leads for other researchers to discover information in related resources
"When to cite?"
You need to cite when you directly quote someone else, and it's also important to cite when you refer to another person's ideas or when you outline someone else's argument or line of reasoning.
Terraferma - Emanuele Crialese
Books on Film
Subject Areas in CBBcat can help find books about your research. Here are some Subject Headings that you may find useful:
To find books containing criticism of a filmmaker's work:
To find biographical writing on your filmmaker:
A Fistful of Dollars - Sergio Leone
The Great Beauty - Paolo Sorrentino
Researching
Think Strategically about Your Research
- Looking up background information first can save you time later - use Credo Reference
- Use terminology and facts learned from the background information to search for articles in Screen Studies Collection, Academic Search Complete, and other databases at left
- Search for books in any of Colby's catalogs, expanding your search with subject linking
- Investigate the notes and bibliographies of every good source you find for leads to more
- Think about what sorts of publications and media the information you want might be published in
... and don't hesitate to come and ask me any questions you have! kjgillum@colby.edu Karen Gillum Miller 107B
Also available: Laine Thielstrom, who is librarian for the Cinema Studies Department
Searching Tips
- KEYWORD SEARCHING
- Use an asterisk to stand in for different word endings: femin* = feminist, feminism, etc.
- Use quotation marks to "glue together" a phrase: "gender roles"
- Use parentheses & OR to search synonyms: (refugee OR migrant)
- REFINE YOUR SEARCH
- Use the various limiting parameters in sidebars of databases to narrow your search appropriately
- Skim the terminology in entries for new keywords and synonyms to use in repeating your search
- EXPAND YOUR SEARCH
- On the EBSCO platform, click on the Choose Databases link near the top of the screen to add another subject database to your field of search
Researching a Film
Want to watch a film? Or find a book on Italian cinema?
To search for a specific film:
Use CBBcat drop down options: Title & Video/DVD/Streaming.
To browse subjects:
Use CBBcat drop down options: Subject & Video/DVD/Streaming.
Or do a Keyword search & explore subject headings or genres by clicking on those links in item records.
To find early films not in CBB:
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Internet Archive - Movies: Silent FilmsThe Moving Image Archive of the Internet Archive includes many different types of video. The Movie subdivision includes a silent film collection.
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European Film GatewaySearch using the keyword film. Refine results by choosing date range and Video.
To find articles about a film:
Want to identify films about particular subjects?
In Screen Studies Collection Advanced Search, use “Look up Subject Headings” to explore possibilities (e.g,.immigration).
Want to get reliable information about a film (cast, credits, citations to articles)? Search the film title in Screen Studies Collection.
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Screen Studies Collection Description of this database.
Want to identify films by genre? In AFI Catalog Advanced Search, select your choice in the “Genre” box (e.g. Film Noir).
Want to find film criticism and scholarly articles about a film?
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MLA International Bibliography Description of this database.
Search these databases or one of the others listed in the Useful Databases box on this page.
Or explore more databases and film-related journals in the Find Articles tab.
Searching for Reviews
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Variety Film ReviewsMiller Reference REF PN1993 .V36 v.1-24, 1907-1996