Course resource help for Japanese Studies

Quick access

Resources

Need help? Contact your librarian

Please get in touch if you have any queries about:

  • finding information and resources for assignments
  • finding online resources
  • referencing your sources

Joanna Cooksey

jcooksey@brookes.ac.uk

I'm hybrid working this semester, so will sometimes be on Headington campus and sometimes working from home. Please email jcooksey@brookes.ac.uk in the first instance. If you need a 1-to-1 appointment we can then arrange one either face-to-face or via Zoom or Google Meet. My usual working hours are 8.00 - 16.00, Monday - Friday.

Referencing

Citing your sources (also called referencing) is an essential part of your academic work and is explained fully on our page Reference and avoid plagiarism.

How to reference: use Cite Them Right

Use Cite Them Right to check how to reference a wide range of sources (books, journal articles, web sites) in exactly the same Harvard style used at Oxford Brookes.

The Library also has a shorter printed guide to Brookes Harvard based on Cite Them Right that you can download (Word and PDF versions available).- h

How to use the Library for Japanese Studies

Use the Library as a new student

Getting started

Looking after yourself

Going to university is a huge step but there is lots of support available. Here are links to support services and useful resources for self-care:

Reading lists

Your module reading lists will tell you what sources you need to read before class and also provide further readings that may be helpful for assignments. You can view any reading list, whether you're studying that module or not.

  • If you're studying the module: Most reading lists are available online via the relevant Moodle course -  often in the 'Key resources' section or arranged by weekly topic. 
  • To look through the whole collection of reading lists: go to the Library and choose the Reading lists tab above the LibrarySearch box. Type in the module code or name.
  • Explore reading lists for Japanese modules

More about finding and understanding your module reading lists (Google slides)

Use LibrarySearch to find books and articles

How to find resources for your assignments

Primary sources on Japan

Japanese building with autumn tree

Learning and reading Japanese

Man browsing in manga superstore, Tokyo
Mandarake Manga superstore in Shibuya Tokyo, (photo) by Sergi Reboredo / Bridgeman Education

Independent research

student working on laptop in Headington library

How to use databases

Databases are specialist search engines that can help you find high quality academic sources like journal articles. In this section you'll find links to some key databases plus video guides. Further databases are listed in the Resources section above.

The guide Database search tips for Japanese Studies Word file and PDF shows you how to use keywords to search databases

NB Always connect to Library databases through the Library web site. You'll be prompted to log in with your Brookes ID and then will get full access.

Which databases should I use?

Discover Academic Search Complete & other EBSCO databases; JSTOR; social science databases; Performing Arts Periodicals Database.

Find online dictionaries, news articles, TV programmes & films.

Databases for journal articles

Academic Search Complete and other EBSCO databases

Academic Search Complete is a highly recommended database that covers all subjects so it's good for finding academic journal articles on any topic.

Other EBSCO databases

Academic Search Complete is available on a web platform called EBSCO. The Library subscribes to several key databases through this same platform. Brookes has access to around 20 other EBSCO databases. They all look the same and you can search them individually or in combination. The video guide (right) shows you how to search any of these EBSCO databases. 

Here is a selection of subject-specific EBSCO databases that you may be useful:


JSTOR

JSTOR is a multidisciplinary database providing an archive of full-text articles from a wide range of academic journals. It also includes eBooks and images

Illustration of person typing on laptop

Social Science databases

These 2 databases are good for social science topics like gender, education, identity and culture. They are both on the ProQuest platform and look and work the same.

IBSS (International Bibliography of the Social Sciences) is a major Social Science database, while Sociological Abstracts is a more specialised Sociology databases.


illustration of man working on computer at desk

Performing Arts Periodicals Database

This is a key resource for finding articles on film and theatre topics

Illustration of movie camera

Databases for other resources

Dictionaries and reference books

  • Oxford Reference Online - references sources on all subjects
  • OED - Online version of the Oxford English Dictionary for definitions.

Image databases

We have several digital image databases that will give you high quality photographs & other images - find out more from the section Use images in your presentations and coursework


Primary sources

See the section Primary sources on Japan

Factiva database for news sources

Factiva is an international news database and a key resource for Japanese studies. It covers many Japanese publications. 

Check the video guide for how to search Factiva for Japanese sources.

Find out how to reference articles from Factiva in the Harvard style.

BoB (Box of Broadcasts) for TV and films

BoB is an online service which gives you access to thousands of recorded TV, radio programmes and films from an online archive.
NB Only available to view in the UK.

Follow the link to access BoB. Click on 'Sign in', then type Oxford Brookes University in the Where are you from? box. The first time you access BoB, you will be prompted to create an account.

  • Check the How to use BoB video guides produced by Learning on Screen.
  • Search BoB by keywords for programmes and films. If you get too many results, click on the 'Search options' link under the search box where you'll see filter options.
  • Try putting names and phrases in quotation marks e.g. "great expectations"
  • Browse the TV listings and ask for upcoming programmes to be added to the collection.
  • Create your own clips from programmes and include them in presentations.
  • Create your own playlists or browse existing ones - see right.

Life and study balance

Study smarter

Light display at Mori digital art museum, Tokyo
Photo by Luca Florio on Unsplash