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II. RESEARCHING

IF YOU KNOW SPECIFICALLY WHAT PROJECT YOU ARE CONCENTRATING ON (i.e. Dam Project, Oil Development in ..., etc.) YOU MIGHT WANT TO BEGIN WITH ONE OF THE FOLLOWING SOURCES.

First, try to focus only on those sources that shed light on the problem in more broad strokes. You have plenty of time later to tighten your focus on detailed aspects that you feel is important to the analysis of your research. The following "idea" sources may be useful at any of the three levels: Global - State - Project/Local.

A. UCB On-Line Database Searches

The computer catalogs Melvyl and Gladis are excellent resources to use. Spend some time searching through your preferable catalog. However, much more detailed database searches are best done later on, after you are somewhat oriented in your project. TWO of these databases, Agricola and CAB, are now accessible via MELVYL; the others must be accessed from the Library computers. We strongly recommend using these CD-ROM systems.

If neither system is familiar to you then a good place to begin is in Melvyl, the UC-wide on-line catalog. It is more flexible and easy to use than Gladis and has more options to search with. IF YOU NEED HELP DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK THE REFERENCE LIBRARIANS.

MELVYL: When using Melvyl it is important to limit your search to UCB libraries. A good place to begin would be searching title words (TW) mainly in the MAGS and Current Contents (CC) databases. One cautionary word is to stay away from spending too much time searching under subject headings; title words or key words can be far more useful in the beginning. Also try the Social Science index under CC.

Tips on locating subject headings:

1. Use the Library of Congress reference guides situated behind the Reference Desk in Moffitt. General headings give plenty of related or more precise subject headings for you to use in Melvyl or Gladis.

2. Display the subject headings assigned to listings you have already found. These can offer more relevant/related articles when you use them in your FIND commands.

B. Government Documents Library

You will find much of your information related to UN and country level documents, statistics and aid information here. Gov Docs has the UN Yearbooks, FAO Yearbooks and World Bank Development Reports. The reference librarians there can be very helpful in finding data you might not have been able to find elsewhere. There is also a United Nations Index database on the computer which can help locate materials.

NOTE: UCB Gov Docs is strong in some areas and weak in others. If you go to the Hoover Institute at Stanford (see Hoover Institute listed below) BE CERTAIN NOT TO MISS THE STANFORD GOV DOCS LIBRARY WHICH IS SEPARATE FROM THE HOOVER INSTITUTE.

C. Contact Local Resource/Research Centers

These centers have the advantage of holding concentrated information on specific regions and certain issues. You will find grassroots journals and publications, relevant South newspapers and clippings, and other information often not available through mainstream channels, activist and research-oriented materials not available in UC libraries, etc. IMPORTANT NOTE: for the community-based NGOs listed below, it is crucial that our class members understand that their job does NOT include taking care of our term paper needs, but rathere, engaging in the projects and endeavors of their own jobs. So please call first and make sure that a visit to obtain some information is OK with them, and then do not expect someone to be able to discuss your project with you. Please come back and discuss your findings, etc. with your instructors, and then perhaps establish some contact with one of the NGO staffers if that appears to be of mutual benefit. Your instructors can also be helpful in facilitating such contact, and it might lead to something interesting in the future, such as a field study, internship, etc.

1. The ESPM Undergraduate Resouce Center:

Great for browsing! The Resource Center can be helpful in providing information about natural resources, cultural area stuff, and more. Many NGO newsletters and publications, environmental journals and other specific indigenous area resources can be found. There are many pamphlet files available for your use too. As an ESPM student, you can have a membership at the resource center, which includes an online account, access to printing, computer use, etc.!

2. The Data Center:

This center focuses on Central and South American resources, but you can also find some Africa material. It is located at 464 19th Street in Oakland, by the 19th Street BART (near Emporium Capwells).. There is a fee for using it, but it is well worth it for many topics. Excellent place to start a project, but CALL to discuss your interest with them (briefly!!), in order to make sure that their resources are pertinent to your topic. We have not updated the amount of this usage fee, but it is surely increased From the $7.00 one of earlier times. There is also a xerox machine available. For more information call 835-4692.

3. Hoover Institute at Stanford:

This resource is invaluable as it has many international academic journals, particularly those from Third World countries. You can call the librarian for information on how and when to use this center.

4. Guatemala News and Information Bureau:

Located just down the hall from the Data Center (see The Data Center for location). This center has a library which includes mostly documents coming from the field by locals, translations from PeaceNet, and their newsletters and focusing primarily on human rights issues. They do have some things which cover economic development and environmental degradation. Records are mainly in English with some in Spanish. Also some books are for sale. Library hours are Mon & Thr from 1 to 5 pm and Wed from 1 to 7 pm. For more information call 835-0810.

5. International Rivers Network.

This NGO has a reference library that is accessible for public use, and there is a user fee that is well worth the investment if you are dealing with a river system that they have been concerned with. It is an extremely friendly (but busy! Like all NGOs in the area!) Place, so please be !sensitive to the fact that people cannot take time to answer your questions. Use the materials, and bring your questions back to campus! Their own publications, & those that they cooperate in, are also available at their office. TEL: 510-848-1155
Address: 1847 Berkeley Way. Berkeley, CA 94703

6. Food First.

This NGO works intensively with both international and domestic issues Concerning food security, development (largely agricultural, but related issues as Well), and policy issues concerning these problems. It is a major place our develop- ment students have worked as volunteers and sometimes as staff assistants (in one case, as a book co-author). There is a wealth of material available at Food First, but it is not set up with an open resource library, so you must call first and have a specific interest. Food First literature is also available at their office (mostly for purchase; some free), but it is generally availiable at the ESPM Resource Center, as well. TEL: 510- 654-4400 Address: 398 60th Street, Oakland, CA 94618

7. South-Meso American Indian Information Center (SAIIC):

Located at 1212 Broadway in Oakland near the 12th Street BART station. Mail Address: PO Box 28703 Oakland California, 94602. For more information call 834- 4263. or 834-4265. This is an NGO intensively involved in native rights issues, and Like Food First and International Rivers Network, it is one where a number of Our students have done volunteer work. Again, expect a user fee and be sensitive to the concerns of staffers there. Their publication, Abyala News, ia available there and also in the ESPM Resource Center.

8. The Haas School of Business at UCB.

All business & econ. Sources detailed below. Note: This list is by no means complete. Also see a few other resources centers on Final Methodology Notes.

9. Rainforest Action Network

A mojor Rainforest NGO dealing with the protection of the rainforest and the rights of people who live there. They are located at 221 Pore Street Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94004. For more information call 415-398-4404.

D. Other Campus Libraries

You will find that the concentration of your library findings will be concentrated in a few libraries. The following are just a few of those libraries that likely will be most useful:

1. International Studies Library:

Browse this excellent source for international newspapers, journals, as well as books and other documents. This is located in Stephens Hall, on the second floor. The librarians here are very helpful as well.

2. BioSciences Library:

Geared toward ecologically related information. Things like environmental degradation and other related aspects often will be located here. Browse some of the periodicals in the back room too. More about what this branch has to offer in the upcoming handout.

3. Business and Economics Library:

Particularly helpful only for those who will be dealing with TNCs in their research. This library contains 10K (SEC filings) and corporate annual reports for public companies as well as other source listings for private firms.

E. Miscellaneous Sources

Harvard Business School 1993-94 Catalog of Teaching Materials:

Helpful particularly for those whose projects include North-based TNCs. This index includes factual business cases covering issues around the globe. A case study can provide excellent information into what companies perceive the issues and problems to be. The catalog provides a listing of case studies with which you can place an order directly from HBS or at Kinko photocopy centers. The cost is about $8/each study (p&h is extra).

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