Research Guides -

These Research Guides have been prepared by Librarians at Bowman Library to assist students in locating resources applicable to particular subject areas as well as conducting proper research.

• Critically Analyzing Information Sources
• Evaluating Web Resources
• Searching Electronic Resources Effectively
• Seven Steps of the Research Process

Sample Subject Headings -

• Beatles
• Hip-Hop
• Jazz Musicians
• Intellectual property - United States
• Music
• Popular Music
• Radio Broadcasting
• Rock Musicians United States Biography
• Singers United States Biography

Reference Books -

Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Popular Musicians Since 1990. New York: Schirmer Reference, 2004. [Electronic resource]

Encyclopedia of Jazz. New York, Horizon Press, 1960. R ML3561 .J3 E552 1960

R & R Ratings Report and Directory. Los Angeles, CA: Radio & Records, Inc., 2005. R PN1991.3 .U6 R32 2007

Sterling, Christopher H. and Michael C. Keith. The Museum of Broadcast Communications Encyclopedia of Radio. New York: Fitzroy Dearborn, 2004. R TK6544 .M84 2004 v.1-3

Research Databases -

These resources are Web-based subscription services available via Bowman Library's Web Page.

American National Biography - Search for individuals by name, or search for people who share a common occupation and "realm of reknown," such as "Performing Arts" and "Rock Musicians/Singers."

Biography Resource Center - Biographies on people throughout history. Use the "Biographical Fact" search to look for people with a common occupation and/or race.

Congressional Quarterly Researcher - Research reports prepared by Congress on controversial issues. Search for topics such as regulating the music industry, intellectual property, and digital commerce.

Encyclopedia Britannica - Search for background information on a musical genre, instrument, or artist. Includes articles from the Britannica Book of the Year.

Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL) - A collection of online reference books on many topics, including music and popular culture.

Historical New York Times - Search for articles published in The New York Times from 1851 through 2002. More recent coverage of The New York Times is provided in ProQuest.

Lexis Nexis Academic - Search for articles on the music industry. Or choose the "News" tab and in the dropdown menu beside "Select Sources" choose "Book, Movie, Music, Play, and Video Reviews."

Oxford Reference Online - This link will take you straight to the Performing Arts section of this collection of online reference books.

ProQuest - Use "Advanced Search" to look for articles about a specific person, musical genre, or topic.

Selected Free Web Sites -

The following free Web resources have been selected as examples of the types of sites that will be useful to the requirements of this course. Remember, many free Web sites contain information that is doubtful in nature, or wrong, so always review the authority, currency and objectivity or bias of every site you use. Need help? Look at Evaluating Web Resources or ask a Librarian, we are here to help!

ABCNews.com - Apple, Inc. and Apple Records Settle Feud
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=2849733&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312
Dated Feb. 5, 2007.

ASCAP: The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers
http://www.ascap.com/index.html
"ASCAP protects the rights of its members by licensing and distributing royalties for the non-dramatic public performances of their copyrighted works. ASCAP's licensees encompass all who want to perform copyrighted music publicly."

Arbitron
http://www.arbitron.com
Access reports on radio markets produced by the Arbitron Company.

BMI: Broadcast Music, Inc.
http://www.bmi.com/

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
http://www.countrymusichalloffame.com/site/
Select "Experience the Museum", then "Inductees" to view by artist name or year inducted. Each artist entry includes a bio and induction date.

Creative Commons
http://creativecommons.org/
Provides free tools that let authors, scientists, artists, and educators mark their creative work with the freedoms they want it to carry.

Grammy Awards
http://www.grammy.com/
Includes links for The Grammy Foundation, The Latin Recording Academy, and a searchable database of Grammy winners from 1958 to the present.

iTunes
http://www.apple.com/itunes/

Jazz Music
http://www.42explore.com/jazz.htm
A pathfinder site that includes links to a wide range of jazz sites covering the genre, its history and jazz musicians.

Pew Internet and American Life Project: Music Downloading
http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/96/report_display.asp

Rapmusic.Com
http://www.42explore.com/jazz.htm
Select "Artists" to browse a list of names. Each artist link includes a brief bio or interview and links to additional resources.

Recording Industry Association of America
http://www.riaa.com

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
http://www.rockhall.com
Select "Inductees" to search or browse for inductees by name. Each inductee page includes a biography and timeline. Some include lists of their essential recordings or recommended reading.

SESAC
http://www.sesac.com/index.aspx?flash=1
A performing rights organization.

Citing Your Sources-

This course requires use of the Chicago Manual of Style for all in-text references and your bibliography. Following are sources to help you use the proper format.

The Chicago Manual of Style. Chicago: Univ. of Chicago Press, 2003. Z253 .U69 2003 Library Permanent Reserve.

For online resources, see How to Cite Your Research.

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