How to do research in Anthropology

Library resources for researchers working on Social Anthropology, Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, and Linguistic Anthropology

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:

  • Ethnographic, ethnography
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology 
  • Combine with subject or region - anthropology AND education, archaeology AND Ireland

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:

Anthropology Plus (via HarvardKey) --  The top database for scholarship in this field, with content from the 18th century to present day. 

Anthro Source (via HarvardKey) -- The best place to search publications from the American Anthropological Association (one of the major associations in this field). 

Dig Deeper

The Harvard Library Anthropology Research Guide provides further resources and tools on this topic.

Databases for Anthropology and Archaeology - explore the full list of Harvard Library databases in this subject category.

CONNECT WITH US 

Susan Gilman, the library liaison for Anthropology, is available to support researchers via email or in-person consultation.

Featured Collection

Harvard’s Tozzer Library offers anthropology and archaeology collections that are some of the most comprehensive in the world.

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

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

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