Multiculturalism
From Simmons Library Guides
We have selected these resources to help you find relevant information on your research topic. PleaseAsk a Librarian for help using the resources listed in this guide or for help with your research process.
Contents |
Reference and Background Information
Reference sources--like dictionaries and subject encyclopedias--provide overviews of topics and descriptions of concepts and ideas. They can also provide definitions, statistics, and other details. You can use these type of sources to help you narrow your research topic, identify keywords and main ideas to search with in databases, or find data to support your thesis.
Use ''Reference Universe'' to find out which reference sources in our collection have information on your topic:
Global Culture
The Dictionary of Global Culture
Level 1 Reference CB9 .D53 1997
- Why look here?
- This is a collection of key terms from various global cultures, selected carefully to reflect an international, rather than a purely Western, perspective.
- What's included?
- Each entry is long and contains a detailed explanation of that term's cultural relevance. Users should note that it is not an easy text to search; while entries are organized alphabetically, there is no table of contents, no index, little cross-referencing, and entries can either be listed in English or in their native language.
- Each entry is long and contains a detailed explanation of that term's cultural relevance. Users should note that it is not an easy text to search; while entries are organized alphabetically, there is no table of contents, no index, little cross-referencing, and entries can either be listed in English or in their native language.
Dictionary of Race, Ethnicity and Culture
Level 1 Reference GN495.6 .D53 2003
- Why look here?
- This book is a dictionary of terms relating to race, ethnicity or culture, from aborigine to Zionism.
- What's included?
- Most entries are long; in addition to a simple definition, entries include the historical background and origin for each term as well as related social issues. There is also an index in the back of the text for quick searching and cross referencing.
- Most entries are long; in addition to a simple definition, entries include the historical background and origin for each term as well as related social issues. There is also an index in the back of the text for quick searching and cross referencing.
Encyclopedia of Race & Racism
Level 1 Reference E184 .A1 E584 2008
- Why look here?
- Collectively, the entries in this three-volume work provide both an historical overview and a current snapshot of scholarship on the topics of race and racism. Arranged alphabetically, the articles cover material such as African Feminisms, Hip-Hop Culture and Zoot Suit Riots.
- What's included?
- Articles range from one to several pages long and each is cross-referenced and includes a bibliography. An alphabetical list of articles, author credentials and a thematic outline are included in volume 1. Volume 3 features an index.
- Articles range from one to several pages long and each is cross-referenced and includes a bibliography. An alphabetical list of articles, author credentials and a thematic outline are included in volume 1. Volume 3 features an index.
Human Values and Beliefs
Level 1 Reference HM73 .I544 1998
- Why look here?
- A great resource to find charts, graphs, census materials, statistics, and other visual material about the basic values and attitudes of societies and peoples around the world.
- What's included?
- Includes charts pertaining to such topics as attitude towards religion and political issues.
- Includes charts pertaining to such topics as attitude towards religion and political issues.
Racial and Ethnic Diversity
Level 1 Reference E184.A1 R78 2006
- Why look here?
- Racial and Ethnic Diversity is a fantastic source for data divided into the following ethnic categories: American Indians and Alaska Natives; Asians; Blacks; Hispanics; non-Hispanic Whites.
- What's included?
- There are two additional chapters that provide comparative information on Total Population and Attitudes and Behaviors. Each chapter provides data for Education, Health, Housing, Income, Labor Force, Living Arrangements, Population and (where data are available) Spending and Wealth.
- There are two additional chapters that provide comparative information on Total Population and Attitudes and Behaviors. Each chapter provides data for Education, Health, Housing, Income, Labor Force, Living Arrangements, Population and (where data are available) Spending and Wealth.
Encyclopedia of Race, Ethnicity and Society
Level 1 Reference HT1521 .E63 2008
- Why look here?
- This three-volume resource offers information about understanding and researching racial and ethnic diversity from a multidisciplinary perspective.
- What's included?
- The articles are alphabetically arranged, cross-referenced and cover topics ranging from Afrocentricity to HIV/AIDS to Zionism. The text is supplemented by photographs, tables and figures, and custom-designed maps.
- The articles are alphabetically arranged, cross-referenced and cover topics ranging from Afrocentricity to HIV/AIDS to Zionism. The text is supplemented by photographs, tables and figures, and custom-designed maps.
American Regionalism
Dictionary of American Regional English
Level 1 Reference PE2843 .D52 1985
- Why look here?
- A sociolinguistically important reference book that incorporates cross-disciplinary applications. This dictionary on American Regional English contains information on folklore, natural history, and children's games, giving this text both a scholarly and popular appeal. A useful source for research, and for anyone who is fascinated by folk language and colloquial speech.
- What's included?
Encyclopedia of New England
Level 1 Reference F4 .E53 2005
- Why look here?
- This encyclopedia focuses on the oldest of America's regions, celebrating its distinct dialect, food, culture, and rich history. Contents include agriculture, architecture, art, cities and suburbs, education, ethnic and racial identity, Folklife, gender, geography and environment, history, images and ideas, industry, technology, labor, law, literature, Maritime New England, media, music and the performing arts, politics, religion, science and medicine, sports and recreation, and tourism.
- What's included?
- Entries run from half a page to two pages in length, some including charts and images.
- Entries run from half a page to two pages in length, some including charts and images.
Encyclopedia of Southern Culture
Level 1 Reference F209 .E53 1989
- Why look here?
- The Encyclopedia's definition of the South is a cultural one: wherever southern culture is found. While the focus is on the 11 states of the Confederacy, the work also encompasses Midwestern and Middle Atlantic border states. Contents include agriculture, art and architecture, Black life, education, environment, ethnic life, Folklife, geography, history and manners, industry, language, law, literature, media, music, mythic South, politics, recreation, religion, science and medicine, social class, urbanization, violence, and women's life.
- What's included?
Finding Articles
Listed below are suggested databases and indexes for articles on your topic. Since articles are shorter and more narrowly focused than books or reference materials, they are most useful after you have narrowed your topic.
Academic Search Complete, our largest article database, is a great starting place for any of your research.
SocIndex
or
SocIndex Mobile
- Why search here?
- SocIndex is the world's most comprehensive and highest-quality sociology research database.
- What's included?
- Provides comprehensive coverage of sociology, encompassing all sub-disciplines and closely related areas of study. Also features over 10,000 Author Profiles covering the most prolific, most cited, and most frequently searched-for authors in the database.
- Provides comprehensive coverage of sociology, encompassing all sub-disciplines and closely related areas of study. Also features over 10,000 Author Profiles covering the most prolific, most cited, and most frequently searched-for authors in the database.
- Why search here?
- Sociological Abstracts helps users to identify published research in sociology and related disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences.
- What's included?
- An international selection of citations for journal articles, conference papers, books and dissertations.
- An international selection of citations for journal articles, conference papers, books and dissertations.
- Why search here?
- Alt-PressWatch provides coverage, viewpoints and perspectives to complement and challenge the coverage of the mainstream media. Subject areas include the arts, media and popular culture, business and labor studies, education, environmental studies and ecology, global studies, history, journalism, literary and critical studies, political science, government and public policy, and social science.
- What's included?
- It is a full-text database with over 170 newspapers, magazines and journals of the alternative and independent press.
- It is a full-text database with over 170 newspapers, magazines and journals of the alternative and independent press.
Social Science Citation Index-- part of Web of Knowledge
- Why search here?
- Use this source to find scholarly articles from the most respected and highly-cited social science journals. In addition to searching by topic, author, source, and more, this database can also be used to track references cited in articles, allowing users to find articles that cite previously published works.
- What's included?
- Citations from over two thousand scholarly journals. Click the link that says "Check for Full-Text Availability" to determine if the library has access to the article. Remember, if we do not have the entire article, it can be requested through Interlibrary Loan.
Check out our How To Search Citation Indexes guide for information on getting the most out of Web of Knowledge.
JSTOR
- Why search here?
- JSTOR provides simultaneous access to a wide variety of scholarly journals and monographs in the humanities, social sciences and sciences. Use JSTOR to find historical information rather than current articles.
- What's included?
- Thousands of full-text scholarly articles, some dating back to the 1800s.
- Thousands of full-text scholarly articles, some dating back to the 1800s.
- Why search here?
- Project Muse contains scholarly articles from major journals in the Social Sciences and Humanities.
- What's included?
- Full-text scholarly articles on literature and criticism, history, the visual and performing arts, cultural studies, education, political science, gender studies, economics and more.
- Full-text scholarly articles on literature and criticism, history, the visual and performing arts, cultural studies, education, political science, gender studies, economics and more.
Open Access Directory - Social Sciences
- Why search here?
- Identify electronic journals in the field of Social Sciences that are scholarly, peer-reviewed, full text, and accessible without cost.
- What's included?
- Titles of and links to open access journals in Social Sciences. This is not a searchable database.
- Titles of and links to open access journals in Social Sciences. This is not a searchable database.
Searching the Web
Simmons librarians have created a customized search engine that allows you
to find Multiculturalism information on the free web.
Use this Multiculturalism Google Custom Search Engine box to search all select, quality free web sites at the
same time:
You may also wish to go directly to, or bookmark, the Multiculturalism Google Custom Search Engine
Tips for Searching the Internet:
- Use the advanced search function, which is available from most search engines:
- Limit your search to .edu and .gov sites. These often provide quality research, statistics, and commentary. Sites ending in .org often have good information, too, but are likely to espouse a strong stance or bias on the issues they cover and may not be objective.
Writing Style and Citation
For more information on style and citation for this discipline, please contact the Simmons College Writing Center
Writing Resources
my.simmons.edu/academics/writing-center/resources/styles.shtml
The Writing Center provides online resources for citing your research. If you are unsure of which citation style to use, consult your professor and consider the following:
- Use APA (American Psychological Association) when your topic is in the Social Sciences
- Use ASA (American Sociological Association) when your topic is in Sociology
- Use MLA (Modern Language Association) when your topic is in the Humanities
- Use Chicago/Turabian when your topic is in Literature, History or the Arts
- Use CSE (Council of Science Editors) when your topic is in the Sciences
- Why look here?
- RefWorks is a tool to create bibliographies and in-text citations for research papers.
- What's included?
- RefWorks is a great program for organizing articles, books and other materials gathered during research. For more information, see the RefWorks - Instructions page or Ask a Librarian
- RefWorks is a great program for organizing articles, books and other materials gathered during research. For more information, see the RefWorks - Instructions page or Ask a Librarian