Under this tab, you will find some digital resources that can support you in your research. Finding relevant articles can be challenging sometimes, but using resources such as journals and databases can make it easier. Databases will provide researchers with broad scopes of articles from various journals, and across multiple disciplines. Journals dedicated to your research topic will allow you to find authors in the field, and in turn find more articles.
Making Searches:
Utilizing the search engines of databases can be a bit challenging. Researchers should utilize the tools provided to them through the advanced search options. Playing around with the filters, and trying broad or specific search terms can reveal more relevant articles, and allow beginner researchers to feel more comfortable in their searches. Using the Boolean search operators ("and", "or", "not") is a basic, but effective way to use the engine. Advanced search techniques can encompass using phrase searching or limiting filters. Use variations of the terms relevant to your subject to expand potential results.
Keywords:
The keywords you use in your search depends on your interests. Broad searches using simply "fiber arts" or "textile arts" can yield results, but if you are looking into a specific technique or tradition this may be too general. Search for the technique you are interested in specifically; knitting, crochet, weaving, sewing, quilting, etc. The type of database you use will also have an effect on the results. Searching for these terms in an anthropological or humanities specific database can connect you to analyses of history, culture, and their engagement with fiber arts.
Please navigate to the tabs on the left-hand side to view the provided resources.