So you've got an idea, or an assignment. But maybe a vague idea is all you've got. You need more information about your topic before you can begin to define a problem your research will address. Or maybe you've got some more specific target in mind, but you need more background. Where to start?

Helpful Targeted Resources (edited by scholars in the field) available for Classical Studies at Loyola

• L'Annee philologique, Editorial Director Pedro Pablo Fuentes Gonzalez (Brepols Publishers for the Societe Internationale de Bibliographie Classique, 1928-)
  • specialized international bibliographic database of scholarly works relating to all aspects of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations; print copy physically available in Cudahy Reference, Z 7016 .M35 A2
• Brill's New Pauly, Antiquity volumes edited by Hubert Cancik and Helmuth Schneider, Classical Tradition volumes edited by Manfred Landfester (Brill, 2010)
  • good, well-grounded scholarly overviews of Classical topics and areas of study, large and small, with supporting bibliography. The Antiquity volumes cover Classical culture in its breadth from Aegean prehistory through the formation of early medieval Europe in west and east, the Classical Tradition volumes cover the reception of Classical culture
  • The Oxford Classical Dictionary, Simon Hornblower and Antony Spawforth, eds., 4^th edn. rev. (2012)
    • good overviews of most of the larger topics a Classical scholar could probably imagine as of the late 20th century, and very many smaller topics also; with bibliography for the most important places to turn next
  • Oxford Bibliographies Online: Classics, Dee Clayman, editor in chief (2011-)
    • annotated bibliographies on many topics, compiled by leading scholars in the relevant fields
  • The Cambridge Ancient History, John Boardman et al., eds., 2^nd edn. (1982-): Cudahy Reference, D 57 .C252 1982
    • articles on all aspects of ancient Greek and Roman history, in many volumes and an ongoing project of revision and updating; references to other important discussions in footnotes
• A cautionary note: No "dictionary" or "encyclopedia" is ever a sufficient resource for serious academic research all by itself - not even the good ones listed here, and especially not Wikipedia, where not all articles can be trusted to have gotten reliable verification before being published. The best ones, however, identify their sources and thereby point you to the evidence and the arguments you want to be considering further, for yourself. Don't hide your use of such resources - but verify their information.
• Jane Currie, Loyola's Bibliographer in Classical Studies, has prepared a Library Guide as a useful gateway to on-line and some print resources for Classical Studies. Note that many classical journals and reference works are not covered by on-line indexes: you will need print by the time you get into the research itself.
• Pegasus, Loyola's on-line catalogue, can help you find whether Loyola Libraries own books you want to use, or journals in which scholarly articles are printed. If not, Interlibrary Loan or other requests (see the links under "services" in the column on the left of the page) can help you to get hold of resources you need.

Taking it further, or unsnagging difficulties:

Exploiting Secondary Sources You Have Already Identified

• Of course, there's the content the secondary work offers. But also:
• Does it list a bibliography? See whether other works listed there also relate to your topic, and look for them.
• Footnotes or endnotes in a scholarly work will refer you to resources especially relevant to topics immediately under discussion, both primary sources containing the evidence on which discussion needs to be based and other secondary studies with which the author agrees or disagrees.
• Follow up related topics with a quick investigation: sometimes their different angle on the source-material or on a different but connected problem will suggest new insights.
• In the library stacks, take a quick look at books near the books you identify as definitely of interest to you: they're likely to address related questions.

Help in Need

• Your instructor has a vested interest in seeing you get the most out of your project possible. Your instructor will be able to be most helpful if you come with groundwork of research laid, and questions outlined for what you want to know next.
• Librarians can help with many questions; ask at the Help desk.

Academic Integrity

• For basic principles and definitions, see the subsection on Academic Integrity in the Academic Standards and Regulations. The College of Arts and Sciences endorses and upholds this policy, as does the Department of Classical Studies. The very helpful Harvard Guide to Using Sources comprehensively discusses the use of sources in college-level academic work, including how to avoid plagiarism.
• Loyola University requires that all instances of academic dishonesty must be reported to the chairperson of the department involved and to the academic Dean of the student's College.
• Learning is wholly personal: it only happens if you do it yourself. Your University record should be certifying only what has really happened.
• Please consult your instructor if you have any questions.

Writing the Paper

• Pulling your research together, making an argument, and advancing your argument persuasively:
  • Dr. Long's Strategic Guide to Writing Papers
  • Loyola Libraries' Doing Academic Research. Note especially the tab "Evaluate Sources"! And although you don't necessarily have to use RefWorks, you do have to provide citations via footnotes and bibliography for secondary sources to which you refer in preparing your work, as well as specific passage-references for the primary sources you are talking about.
• Seeking help:
  • Your instructor
  • Academic Advising & Support Services, Sullivan Center, Suite 260, 6339 Sheridan Rd., LSC; 773-508-7714, fsyadvising@luc.edu
  • Center for Student Assistance and Advocacy: offers support, coordinated case-management, and referrals to appropriate resources for student concerns across the University. The website can direct students and members of faculty and staff to pertinent explanations and resources, including online reporting-forms for first, second, or third parties. Coverage includes severally
    • academic concerns
    • behavioral concerns
    • equity & Title IX concerns
    • personal concerns
    • student conflict & conduct concerns
    • general student concerns
    • BUT, in any case of crisis or imminent harm call Campus Safety first, 773-508-6039
  • Tutoring Center, Sullivan Center Room 245, LSC; 773-508-7708; tutoringcenter@luc.edu
  • University Libraries: Cudahy Library, LSC: IC 773-508-8000, Circulation 773-508-2632, Reference Desk 773-508-2654; Lewis Library, 25 E Pearson, WTC, Circulation 312-915-6622, Reference Desk 312-915-6631; Ask a Librarian
  • Writing Program and Writing Center, Loyola Hall, LSC, 773-508-8468, writingctr@luc.edu

Revised 3 March 2022 by jlong1@luc.edu
http://www.luc.edu/classicalstudies/