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Mythology Research Guide: Getting Started

Greek vase with image of two warriors

Some Things to Keep in Mind...

This guide is designed to provide a starting point for researching topics dealing with mythology from all times and places.  The resources listed are both in print and online formats.

  • There could be multiple names for a single myth. Many cultures have a creation myth, for example.
  • Some characters in myths are depicted in multiple cultures.  Make sure the reference you are looking at refers to the culture you are researching.

Use the CRAAP Test method to determine if a web resource is right for you. Evaluate sources based on the following points:

CRAAP MethodCRAAP Method

 

Currency: When was the information published? Is it up to date?

Relevance: Is the information what you're really looking for? Who is the material written for: academics, professionals, students, or the general public?

Authority: Who published, wrote, or edited the information? Is the author an expert on the topic?

Accuracy: Is the information reliable and accurate? Do other sources verify this information?

Purpose: What is the purpose of the information? Is it biased to one point of view?

Evaluating Information - Applying the CRAAP Test 

 

The CRAAP Test developed by the Meriam Library at California State University, Chico.

 

 

 

 

Definition: In an instructional setting, plagiarism occurs when a writer deliberately uses someone else’s language, ideas, or other original (not common-knowledge) material without acknowledg­ing its source.

While some types of writing aren't as concerned with documenting sources, ideas, images, sounds, etc. traditional academic writing requires these best practices.

Sources: wpacouncil.org and owl.english.purdue.edu

 

For more information:

Try these to get more specific or broader results

Wild Card

  • Use a * to include forms or variants of words in your search
  • Example: type test* to search for test, testing, tests

Adding a ~

  • Adding a tilde (~) to your search term will return related terms.
  • Example: ~nutrition will search also nutrition, food and health

Adding a -

  • Adding a negative (-) to your search term will take away that term in your search.
  • Example: Pets -cats will not find web sites that focus upon cats as pets.

Phrase Search

  • By inserting quotes around an exact phase, you will search only the words you type in, in that exact order with no words in between term.
  • Example: "consumer product chemistry"

Boolean Operators

  • Using AND, OR, NOT can broaden or narrow a search depending on your inquiry. "AND" will give you results that contain both words. "OR" will give results about either word and "NOT" will not search the term preceding.
  • Example: Summer AND Flower, Summer OR Flower, Summer NOT flower