All research begins with the language that you use to think about your topic. This language provides keywords, or the unique terms you use to describe your research topic. Research topics in art and art history can be rich combinations of influences and subjects. You can begin to develop your topic with a specific material in mind, such as ink, oil paint, or installation media, or specific techniques such as calligraphy, performance, or video art. Combining materials and styles in a particular place or period of time is a common way to develop a more complex research topic. You may also decide to consider a specific style, period, movement, or genre.

Here is a sample keyword concept map to begin research on contemporary Chinese ink painting:

This kind of concept map helps generate combinations of search terms—for example,

• “contemporary ink painting China”

• “Chinese calligraphy political art”

• “Beijing art scene landscape ink”

These combinations can be adapted as keywords for searching in databases, catalogs, and archives.

A subject heading is a descriptive phrase assigned to an item to describe its contents or subject.

If you were interested in exploring issues of art and politics, you might use a variety of subject headings to find books on your topic, from broader

Painting, Chinese -- 20th century

to more specific,

Socialist realism in art -- China

Start with keyword searching, then check the subject headings in an item’s full record. Clicking a heading will show you more items on the same topic. Once you’re familiar with them, you can search subject headings directly in Primo’s Advanced Search.

Broad Search Terms

Related Topics

Specific Areas of Interest

• Performance art