Ethnographies

Where are the ethnographies?  Are they shelved in a specific place in the library?

• Anthropology books about a certain region of the world are often classified with books on that region and NOT in the general anthropology call number. 

• Similarly, ethnographic monographs written about cultures/groups are classified with the books on that country (eg. Africa, DT; Asia, DS; Latin America, F) or subject (e.g. ethnographies about education will be in the education section).

If they aren't all together in the library, how can I find them?

Ethnographies can be difficult to identify because there is no specific subject heading for "ethnography". So, here are some tips:

• You will have to go to the stacks and look at the books to determine if they are actually ethnographies.

• Keyword search with "ethnograph*" in addition to your subject.  (**Unless the book has "ethnography" as part of the title (and most don't), you won't find much.)

• Search for books by subjects: "Manners and customs" or "ethnology."  (**These are the most used subjects)

• Do you know the group you want to research?  Search by the correct name.

• Search by the subject that is useful is "case method" or a keyword by "case stud*". Although most case studies are not ethnographies, some are.

• Do a keyword search combining the name of the group with the aspect of the culture you want to research.

You will have to look at the book to determine if it is actually an ethnography!!

If you know the group or social phenomenon you want to study, you can search for book reviews in the databases.  This will often lead you to the title of an ethnography. 

• Search to see if it is at the Wilson Library or request it using Interlibrary Loan.