How to do research in Religion
Library resources for researchers working in Religious studies
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.
- Subject terms- Religion, Spirituality, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism
- Geographic terms- Asia, China, Japan
- Analysis of Sacred Texts- Qu'ran- Criticism and Interpretation; Vedas- Commentaries
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:
Atla Religion Database® (Atla RDB®) (via HarvardKey) The main database for all religious traditions; main coverage back to 1949.
Many-in-one search (via HarvardKey) (from the Divinity School Library) Search across several major databases in religious studies simultaneously: Academic Search Premier, ATLA Religion Database, Catholic Periodical and Literature Index, Bibliography of Asian Studies, Christian Periodical Index, Index Islamicus, Index to Jewish Periodicals, New Testament Abstracts, Old Testament Abstracts, and Philosopher's Index.
DIG DEEPER
The Introduction to Religion guide provides basic resources for research in religious studies.
CONNECT WITH US
Reed Lowrie, the library liaison to the Committee on the Study of Religion, is available to support researchers via email or in-person consultation.
FEATURED COLLECTION
Harvard Divinity School Library, which has extensive general and special collections in religious studies.
RELATED FAQS
How to do research in Philosophy
- Some Harvard Library locations will be closed or have special hours for Commencement, Thursday, May 26. Please check the Library Hours page for specifics. Ask a Librarian and chat hours will remain as usual.
- Most Harvard Library locations will be closed Monday, May 30 and Tuesday, May 31, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. Ask a Librarian and chat service will be closed on these dates.
- If you're experiencing an ongoing technical issue when you attempt to access library materials with your HarvardKey during these times, please report it to Library Technology Services.
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