teaching + technology
support for uva english department instructors and faculty
Search and Research Tools
Search | Bibliographic software | Online bookmarks
Digital research projects
Search and databases
The UVA library offers access to numerous subject-specific databases. There are plenty of other add-ons and tools tricks that can enhance your research.
- OneSearch: OneSearch allows you to search multiple databases and VIRGO's electronic resources at the same time. OneSearch provides citations and abstracts, as well as links to full-text articles, electronic books, and records in VIRGO. You choose which resources you want it to search. Or, when searching by subject, choose the "English language and literature" option for some familiar databases, including EEBO, ABELL, and MLA.
- LibX toolbar: a search toolbar that appears right in your Internet browser (currently Firefox only) that allows searching of VIRGO, WorldCat, Amazon, etc. Also creates Search links in your right-click context menu, so you can highlight and research right from text on a web page.
- GoogleGuide: make the most out of using Google whether you are a novice or a more advanced Googler. Find something here to sharpen your skills, including learning all the basic search parameters, more advanced shortcuts, additional Google services, and more.
- Google Books and Google Scholar: search online collections by keywords or bibliographic information. Very useful at either end of the research spectrum: when you're searching for something specific, or when you want to stumble upon new stuff through keywords.
- Toolbars and buttons: many browsers allow you to add toolbars and buttons directly to your browser. You can create quick links to research sites, dictionaries, anything. Instructions for Firefox, Internet Explorer 6, IE7, and Safari.
Bibliographic software
There are several commercial programs available at discounts for academics, EndNote being among the most popular. UVA offers free access to RefWorks. And other free online resources are becoming available, too, which may offer more flexibility.
- RefWorks: register for an account that allows you, when searching databases, to add citations. These can later be added to word processing documents. You can also toggle citation formats (e.g. MLA, Chicago, APA, etc.).
- Zotero: An exciting add-on for Firefox, this application lets you collect, manage, take notes, and organize citations from your web browser. Zotero keeps this data online and accessible from anywhere, and also allows you to download to word processing documents, and stay synchronized with local files.
- Facebook Librarian: with this plug-in application, Facebook users can directly access research tools like WorldCat, Google Books, Wikipedia, etc. Or ask librarians on call.
- Commercial software: while RefWorks can also be integrated, another choice for Microsoft Office products is EndNote. Mac users may be interested in Mellel, a word processor designed for scholars, that is set up to interface with bibliographic software like Bookends and Sente. Several online products like EasyBib and BibMe offer subscription-based services that are user-friendly but similar to the non-commercial options above. Taking bibliography to the people, LibraryThing is an interesting online tool which allows you to catalog and share your books online.
Online bookmarks
Three different options to access your browser bookmarks or favorites from anywhere:
- Export your bookmarks/favorites as a list. You can save the file to your computer, a disk, or for remote access to your home directory account. In Internet Explorer: File --> Import and Export --> Export Favorites. In Firefox: Bookmarks menu --> Organize Bookmarks --> File menu --> Export.
- Do you use the Firefox browser from multiple computers? The add-on Foxmarks allows you to synchronize bookmarks between any of your computers.
- Social bookmarking: You can upload your bookmarks to the internet and access them from anywhere through the site del.icio.us. You can also add new bookmarks to your online del.icio.us account from anywhere, and, if you wish, share them with other users. Watch this short illustrated introduction.
Research projects
UVA has been a leader among universities supporting digital research and computing projects in the humanities. If you have a proposal or an idea, here are a few places to start:
- Research Computing Support Group: ITC's umbrella group to consult about potential projects and assign resources.
- Scholars' Lab: willing advisors and development resources for digital projects. Also offers a graduate fellowship in digital scholarship.
- Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities (IATH): research unit at UVA devoted to projects from faculty and fellows. See examples of current projects and find out about fellowships.
- Dedicated research web space: storage and permanent URLs are available for sharing research. In special cases, graduate students may also apply.
Personal help:
Library Tutorials
Schedule a personalized guide to research: in the discipline, for special projects, or using databases and research tools.
Online Tutorials
The library has online instructional videos to help with using search, databases, bibliographic software, and more.
Subject Librarian
The English department's dedicated subject librarian, Chris Ruotolo, can help with specific resources and specialized reference needs.
Center for Digital Research in the Humanities
Located at U Nebraska-Lincoln, the center has resources on digital scholarship, standards, and funding opportunities.
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