Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This text is designed to help music students become familiar with and use the many research tools available to them. The content is arranged by type of research tool (e.g., encyclopedias, periodical indexes, discographies) and includes a general statement about the uses of each tool and an annotated bibliography that points out their purpose, scope, strengths, and weaknesses. Covering both print and electronic resources, the text does not attempt to be exhaustive but rather guides students to the major research tools in music. A companion Web site maintained by the author helps keep the material up to date.Intended primarily for music bibliography classes taken by almost all students entering graduate music programs, the text is also a useful supplement for any undergraduate or graduate class in music that requires students to do library research or write a research paper.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Students of music research and bibliography will find Sampsel's outstanding new work invaluable. Several excellent bibliographies exist, such as V. H. Duckles's Music Reference and Research Materials (CH, Feb'98, 35-3062) and P. D. Crabtree and D. H. Foster's Sourcebook for Research in Music (2nd ed., rev. and expanded, CH, Jun'06, 43-5612; 1st ed., CH, Apr'94, 31-4107). However, to date, this reviewer has not seen a book that puts together a selective bibliography of the resources of music research with instruction in research and tips on writing. Sampsel (Univ. of Colorado at Boulder), a respected music librarian, scholar, and teacher of bibliography, has given readers such a resource. Chapters begin with introductory sections providing instruction in the use of the items included, and most contain evaluative checklists for making critical judgments about research resources. Bibliographic entries are numbered and mostly annotated. Chapters 4 and 5 offer excellent guides to library catalogs and periodical indexes, respectively. Both undergraduate students and instructing librarians could use these guides. Sampsel's discussion of style manuals and their use in the realm of academic publishing puts what might be a banal course requirement into real-world context. Enhanced Web access to resources is provided and currency maintained through a companion Web site at http://www.oup.com/us/musresearch/. Summing Up: Essential. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers. M. J. Duffy IV Northern Illinois University

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Laurie Sampsel is Head of the Music Library and Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder.