Design Research - Mary Ann Frank

Research begins with Sources Books Periodicals Electronic media and websites These are just a few examples… Research begins with Sources

Resources must be Reputable! Without reputable resources, research cannot be depended upon Numerous electronic resources makes determining reputation more difficult Seek authors, their credentials, and details of the topic – dates are critical! Google Images does not provide details and is not reliable for academic research! Wikipedia is not reliable for academic research! Retail websites are not acceptable for academic research! Resources must be Reputable!

Resources must be Relevant A museum website is a good candidate for a reputable design history resource, for example Design history resources must include dates of the subject for your verification Just because a bed image is labeled ‘Rococo’, does not mean the bed was designed in the 18th century Rococo period! But its date will. Check for dates, not labels You never know how an author will categorize period styles Resources must be Relevant

Where to find Resources??? This course has material on reserve at the University Library main desk material may be copied and scanned Check Herron School of Art library Check your public library, particularly the Marion County Central Library – the main, downtown location (large furniture section) Check a bookstore newsstand for relevant periodicals If all else fails, check the Internet, but proceed with caution!!! Where to find Resources???

Another valuable resource… University Library has extensive research options on its website: http://www.ulib.iupui.edu/ Reference librarians here can help in person, or online Select: ‘Research a Topic’ ‘Research Guides’ ‘Art’ ‘Finding Images’ and ‘Web Resources’ are useful …proceed further for more info… Another valuable resource…

University Library Website ‘Finding Images’ in University Library’s Research website has relevant content for design history. A couple of examples are: ARTStor The first time you access this website must be on campus for entry verification. Thereafter, you have 120 days of remote access. CAMIO Catalog of Museum Images Online Search for ‘Furniture’ University Library Website

University Library Website ‘Web Resources’ in University Library’s Research website has relevant content for design history. A couple of examples are: Art Institute of Chicago Search for ‘Furniture’ The Getty Select: ‘Museum’, ‘Explore Art’, ‘Types of Art’, ‘Furniture’ University Library Website

University Library Website More examples in ‘Web Resources’: National Gallery of Art Select: ‘The Collection’, ‘Decorative Arts’, ‘Furniture Tapestries and Ceramics’, ‘Selected Online Tours’ Art History Resources on the Web contains many, many museum websites, for example: ‘Museums and Galleries’, ‘United States’, ‘The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York’: in this site see ‘American Decorative Arts’, ‘Collection Database’, search on keyword ‘Furniture’ University Library Website

University Library Website These are just a few of the many electronic resources available from University Library Reference Librarians are always available to help with research – do not hesitate to use them!! University Library Website

Reference Citations Reputable research always cites its resources A standard citation methodology must be used such as ‘ALA’ or ‘MLA’ It does not matter which standard is used, as long as one is used consistently See examples at the end of this presentation There are many resources for using these standards such as: Microsoft Word software The Owl at Purdue (click for these websites) The TCM Writing Center Reference Citations

Everything consulted needs to be cited (unless it is considered such common knowledge that most people know it!) This includes: Background information referenced in your writing Images Current products available from manufacturers or websites for sale Even, your own personal photographs! (see the previously mentioned websites for assistance on how to cite them) What needs to be cited?

Written Content in Research Your personal writing merges the research you have conducted. It should be written in your own words based on what you know and what you have learned It should be of high academic standards including: Using relevant subject terminology such as furniture terms and styles Clearly readable and understandable have someone test this for you Free of error!! No misspellings, no grammatical or punctuation errors Written Content in Research

Written Content in this Class Personal writing should follow assignment requirements Check, and double check, assignments Personal opinions are fine – and often add to the writing, but need to be explained and justified It is not sufficient to state that you ‘think so’ It is always recommended to review your work with the TCM Writing Center They can work with you online if you’re taking online classes! Written Content in this Class

Purdue Online Writing Lab. (n. d. ). Research and citation resources Purdue Online Writing Lab. (n.d.). Research and citation resources. Retrieved from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/ TCM Writing Center (n.d.). TCM writing center resource links. Retrieved from http://www.engr.iupui.edu/tcm/info.shtml?menu =wc University Library (n.d.). Research. Retrieved from http://www.ulib.iupui.edu/ References