The primary database for conducting research on literature and related areas is the MLA International Bibliography (MLAIB). It indexes books, articles, and websites on literary theory and criticism, dramatic arts (film, radio, television, theater), folklore, and the history of printing and publishing. Book reviews are not included.
OU subscribes to the MLAIB through EBSCO, so the interface may look familiar to you. However, the database has certain unique features.
- Search indexes such as genre, literary technique, literature topic, primary subject author, and primary subject work.
- Build your search using the database's Thesaurus.
- Use the Names as Subjects feature when you're not sure how to spell a name or whether to use a pseudonym.
- It is generally better to do your keyword searches in English, even if you want results in French. For example, a keyword search for Le Clézio AND identity produced 16 results, including articles in French, German, Spanish, and Chinese.
The Modern Language Association has created several tutorials to help you use the bibliography.
