How to do research in Museum Studies

Library Resources for researchers working in museology and related topic areas.

START WITH GOOD KEYWORDS

Topic-specific keywords will help improve your results in a general multidisciplinary database like Google, Google Scholar, HOLLIS, or Academic Search Premier.

Add keywords like these to your search:

  • Broader subject - museum management, art objects, collections, user research
  • Narrower focus - repatriation, fundraising, exhibits, social media
  • Names of people, movements, historical periods, or objects - George Grosz, Impressionism, Enlightenment, Shelburne museum, Little Dancer 

UPGRADE YOUR SEARCH: KEY DATABASES

The best tool for your project may be a specialized search engine, also known as a database. These databases are subject-specific or format-specific search tools:

Social Sciences Premium Collection (via HarvardKey) will search various disciplines in the social sciences, for museum studies topics within education, anthropology, sociology, and more.

Business Premium Collection (via HarvardKey) is one of the best databases for business related topics, including management, marketing, economics, and more. 

Dig Deeper

The MUSE E-102 Research Guide provides a helpful overview of library research for museum studies, including how to find books near you, a list of museum organizations, and recommended databases for specific topics within museum studies.

CONNECT WITH US 

Mary Frances Angelini and Jonathan Paulo, library liaisons for Harvard Extension School, are available to support researchers through Zoom consultations or email.

Featured collection

Museums at Harvard highlights the variety of museums at Harvard University.

Service Alert:

  • We're experiencing difficulty with our Research Appointment Request form (under "Meet"). For now, please click on "Email" and describe for us: 
    •  your Harvard affiliation
    • the project you'd like help with
    • whether it's for a particular class, faculty member or department

Chat

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Meet

Talk to a librarian for advice on defining your topic, developing your research strategy, and locating and using sources. Make an appointment now.

These services are intended primarily for Harvard University faculty, staff and students. If you are not affiliated with Harvard, please use these services only to request information about the Library and its collections.