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FLEET LIBRARY | Research Guides

Rhode Island School of Design

Artists Who Write: D + M thesis preparation seminar: Introduction

A guide to sources and search strategies for thesis exploration and development

Start a reading history

Login to your RISD library account by selecting My Record. Type in your name as it appears on the front of your risd ID and the 14-digit barcode number on the back of your ID.

Select  Reading History


Use the reading history to keep track of what you read when; use the export feature to email, print or download (txt file) your reading list.

Brown's catalog also has this feature - follow the same steps to set up your Checkout History in Brown Library's MyJosiah (for RISD login, use the right side of the form)

Record the process

You may want to download Zotero and use it to manage your research and citation-gathering.

If you prefer a manual process, use a research log to track your efforts: date, search terms, sources, results, and related subjects.   Research log (pdf)

Research assistance

Guided Research: meeting with a RISD Art Librarian

Art librarians are available to work with you to research your thesis ideas. Make an appointment at the RISD Library Reference Desk - either in person, by email or phone. A meeting with a librarian usually last 20-25 minutes. You are always welcome to make follow-up appointments.

The art librarian will begin by asking some questions to get a sense of where you are in the research process and what approach you are taking to your topic. It’s useful to bring any beginning writing, outlines or concept maps you've made to this meeting. Often early documents and sketches contain the themes that are central to your thesis and are a good way to begin the conversation.

Librarians will recommend databases to search and can show you strategies and features to efficiently use them. They facilitate in-depth searching for local resources as well as borrowing materials owned by other institutions. They can help you identify significant writers in your area of inquiry, locate primary sources, bibliographies, image sources, websites, and digital collections. They can help you track down the source of a quote or an elusive exhibition catalogue. They answer any questions you may have about your library record and write letters of introduction to research centers when your inquiry points you further afield.

About the author


Ellen Petraits, Research & Instruction Librarian, Coordinator of Graduate Library Instruction
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Contact Info
Fleet Library @ RISD
Reference Department, 1st Floor
Office 105
401 709-5905
epetrait@risd.edu
Send Email

 Ellen Petraits

Except where otherwise noted, this guide is subject to a Creative Commons Attribution license