Welcome to the Cornish Studies LibGuide
Use this guide to help you make the most of the library and information resources and services.
Search for print books, ebooks, journals, articles + more. Use Library Search LibGuide for guidance.
For a full selection of databases and archives, use the A-Z Databases List.
There are a wide range of online resources that will help you trace books, journal articles and much more, to support your study and research. Key resources are highlighted in the adjacent tabs.
Key databases for Cornish Studies researchBibliographic databases index the global literature and provide references to journal articles, books, conference proceedings, etc. that match your search criteria.
They help you to find information about previous publications in your research field.
The following databases will help you discover material related to Cornish Studies.
JSTOR provides access to scholarly book, journal and primary sources via an easy to use search interface.
Use the How to Search JSTOR LibGuide for an introduction to the service or take a look at JSTOR's Vimeo channel for educational and instructional videos.
The following video shows you how to use ebooks on the JSTOR service.
Use the Databases A-Z List to access all the resources available to you.
You can browse by subject e.g. History or type (e.g.maps, news, images etc.) or search to find your required resource.
You can use the following catalogues to search for material held at other libraries:
The European Library - gives access to the collections of the 48 National Libraries of Europe and leading European Research Libraries.
You are likely to use a wide range of different types of information sources for your study and research. As well as academic sources such as books and journals, you may wish to consult primary sources, archives, news etc. Use the online support highlighted here to guide your searching.
The Penryn Library holds a wide range of material relevant to the study of Cornish history, literature, folklore and social issues.
Multiple copies are held of the important book series - Cornish Studies. A few titles are highlighted in the book gallery.
You can search for other titles in the series using the Library Search or can go along to the library and browse the shelves to find other titles in this series and other related materials on all aspects Cornish studies.
The Archives and Special Collections have the Publications and records of the Institute of Cornish Studies as well as many Cornish related collections, such as the Gorsedh Kernow Bardic collection and Papers of Len Truran: Mebyon Kernow.
The staff produce Research Guides based on material held in the collections. Cornish Studies related one include A. L. Rowse and Cornish Festivals.
Online exhibitions also highlight aspects of the collections, such as Cornwall's Maritime Churches.
There are a number of local archives and libraries that will support your research in Cornish studies.
Primary sources are documents which were created during particular historical periods, as opposed to secondary sources, which are written at a later date about particular historical periods.
Examples of primary sources are:
Find out more on the Primary Sources LibGuide
It is important to plan your search strategy, and manage your search results so that you get the most from your online searching.
Keep a record of all the material you need to cite in your assignments, papers, projects etc.
Use the Search Techniques and Referencing guidance to assist you.
As you search you need to keep track of all the material you will be using in your academic work so that you can cite and reference it appropriately.
Always check your module handbook for specific departmental guidance on the style required for your assessed works and dissertations. Check with your personal tutor or dissertation supervisor if you need clarification.
For more guidance take a look at:
Find out more about the skills support available to help you develop a range of academic skills including essay writing, referencing, critical reading and getting the most out of lectures.
Sage Research Methods Online (SRMO) is a great resource to use when you are planning and conducting your research.
It is targeted at social science researchers but is useful across all subject areas as it covers key research methodology topics that are applicable across the research spectrum.
Sage have produced a comprehensive LibGuide to help you get the best from the resource.
