Asian
American Studies Library Research Guide
Diversity & Ethnic Studies
This is a selected list of specialized reference resources that are useful for beginning research in Asian American studies. It points to atlases, bibliographies, indexes and abstracts, bio-bibliographies, biographical sources, dictionaries, directories and guides, encyclopedic sources, and statistical sources. Call numbers and locations listed on this page refer to those at Iowa State University. Many of these resources may be found in (or be accessible through your own local academic institution's library. If you need help in locating or using materials, please ask your local reference librarian for assistance. Looking for Asian American videos in Parks Library?
Atlases (to locate geographic, cultural, or demographic information)
Atlas of American Diversity. Larry Hajime Shinagawa and Michael Jang. 1998. REF E184 A1 S575 1998
Provides information, data, and maps regarding population growth and projections, regional dispersion, state populations, major city concentrations, labor force participation, educational attainment, and more topics on African Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, US Latinos, American Indians, and European Americans.Atlas of the 1990 Census. Mark T. Mattson. 1992. REF G1201 .E2 M3 1992
Includes population maps based on 1990 census data, including information specific to Asian American regional populations.We the People: An Atlas of America's Ethnic Diversity. James Paul Allen. (PARKS Oversized: Ask at Circulation Desk; E184.A1 A479 1988)
Focuses on racial and ethnic populations in the US; based on data from the 1970s and 1980s.
Bibliographies, Indexes, and Abstracts (to locate information in books, journals, magazines, newspapers, and elsewehere on a specific topic)
Amerasia Journal. UCLA Asian American Studies Center. 1971- , Gen Collection: E184 O6 A44
This research journal regularly includes in its year-end issue an annual and very full bibliography of Asian American research published that year, organized by topic.Ethnic NewsWatch (ISU only)
Unique and versatile source provides bibliographic citations and full-text articles from U.S. ethnic and minority newspapers, newsmagazines, and some journals. The database focus is on African American, American Indian, Asian American, and U.S. Latino newspapers, though publications from many other minority groups are included. (Click here for a current list.) Also includes a publishers' directory, circulation figures, advertising rates, and histories of individual newspapers. In English and Spanish. Coverage is from 1995 to the present, though retrospective coverage of selected publications dates back to 1985. Updated monthly.
SAGE Race Relations Abstracts (ISU only)
Now available online, via the ISU Library subscription to EBSCONet. International in scope, each issue includes bibliographical essays on specialized topics, and annotated abstracts for journal articles and books dealing with race relations. Important coverage of African American journals and scholarly topics. Broad subject index. From the Institute of Race Relations, London; Quarterly, 1975- . Online issues include vol. 24, no. 1, 1999 - present; back years are available in print in the Reference Collection under the following call number: REF HT1501 .S3x
Bio-Bibliographies (to locate biographical information on individuals as well as bibliographies for further reading)
Asian American Literature: Reviews and Criticism of Works by American Writers of Asian Descent. REF PS153 A84 A82 1998
Bio-bibliographic profiles of 45 Asian American creative writers and poets, with reprints of critical articles on their major works. Includes numerous photographs. A long-awaited and necessary resource.
Biographical Sources (to locate information pertaining to the lives and life stories of specific people)
Asian American Almanac: A Reference Work on Asians in the United States. Irene Natividad, ed. 1995. REF E184 .O6 A824 1995.
Separate and detailed introductions profile the history and traditions of individual Asian American groups in the United States, including Asian Pacific, Asian Indians, Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Hmong, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Nepali, Pacific Islanders, Pakistani, Thai, and Vietnamese Americans. Includes long essays on topics such as civil rights, population growth and distribution, significant documents, women, Asian American organizations, and much more. Heavily illustrated; includes biographical sketches, and topical and general bibliographies.Asian American Literature: Reviews and Criticism of Works by American Writers of Asian Descent. REF PS153 A84 A82 1998
Bio-bibliographic profiles of 45 Asian American creative writers and poets, with reprints of critical articles on their major works. Includes numerous photographs. A long-awaited and necessary resource.Distinguished Asian Americans: A Biographical Dictionary. REF E184 .O6 D57 1999
Profiles 166 well-known Asian Americans from numerous professions, including authors, actors, publishers, musicians, entrepreneurs, activists, historians, inventors, and many other fields; there is good representation of Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, and Korean Americans, as well as South Asians; fewer Southeast Asians have been profiled. Entries are signed, and include brief bibliographies, and occasional black and white photographs. Includes occupation index and ethnicity index.Notable Asian Americans. REF E184 .O6 N67 1995
Features long signed entries on 250 Asian Americans. Includes numerous black and white photographs, and bibliographies for further reading.Who's Who among Asian Americans. REF E184 .O6 W47
Provides paragraph length entries on nearly 6,000 prominent Asian American individuals representing more than 20 Asian ethnic groups.
Dictionaries (to locate definitions of words, concepts, topics and significant individuals)
Dictionary of Asian American History. REF E184 .O6 D53 1986
Provides definitions and background on important events, individuals, and issues important to an understanding of Asian Pacific American cultures in the United States. Includes a select bibliography and chronology.
Directories and Guides (to locate addresses or information on organizations, individuals, topics, or an entire field of study)
Asian American Genealogical Sourcebook. Paula K. Byers, ed. GEN E184.O6 A828 1995
Asian Americans Information Directory. REF E184 .O6 A844
Provides addresses and descriptions for national and regional organizations, museums, government agencies, research centers, publications, broadcast media, and more, representing the following groups: Bangladeshi, Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese, East Indian, Filipino, Hmong, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Malaysian, Nepalese, Pacific Islander, Pakistani, Singaporean, Sri Lankan, Thai, and Vietnamese.An Asian American Internet Guide. Wataru Ebihara, comp. and ed. GEN E184.O6 E24x 1995
Directory and description of relevant Asian American Internet and Web resources; now a bit dated. Also available online .East and Southeast Asian Material Culture in North America: Collections, Historical Sites, and Festivals. REF E184 .O6 H37 1989
Annotated directory lists addresses and descriptions of relevant museums, libraries, events, and collections pertaining to Asian and Asian American cultures. Includes glossary, bibliography, and indexes.
Encyclopedic Sources (to locate specific facts and information, often on a broad range of topics)
Asian American Almanac: A Reference Work on Asians in the United States. Irene Natividad, ed. 1995. REF E184 .O6 A824 1995.
Separate and detailed introductions profile the history and traditions of individual Asian American groups in the United States, including Asian Pacific, Asian Indians, Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Hmong, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Nepali, Pacific Islanders, Pakistani, Thai, and Vietnamese Americans. Includes long essays on topics such as civil rights, population growth and distribution, significant documents, women, Asian American organizations, and much more. Heavily illustrated; includes topical and general bibliographies.Asian American Encyclopedia REF E184 .O6 A827 1995
Authoritative six volume set covers topics, individuals, and concepts important to an understanding of Asian American peoples in the United States. Longer articles signed, and with brief list of suggested readings. Includes numerous black and white illustrations, photographs, and tables.The Asian-American Experience. 1997. LIB MEDIA CTR, CDRM 000 171
Multimedia cd-rom includes text, image, and audio files that detail the Asian American presence in the United States. Main menu includes a flexible search feature, a picture album, an historical overview of the different Asian American groups in the US, and signed essays on key topics. Includes some bibliographies and generous excerpts from novels, interviews, plays, government documents, and relevant legislation. Note that portions of the cd-rom software design are flawed (at least, the copy received by this Library), making it difficult or impossible to access information in some areas. The "key topics" section and the timeline are especially problematic. Still, a useful and fascinating resource. Includes written guide for users, teachers, and parents.Asian Pacific American Heritage: A Companion to Literature and Arts. REF PS153.A84 A87 1999
Signed literary and descriptive essays on a broad variety of cultural topics, such as "Asian Naming Systems," "Japanese American Life in the 20th Century," "Southeast Asian Food," "Filipinos and Religion," "The "Model Minority" Discourse," and "Fengshui, Chinese Medicine, and Correlative Thinking." Also includes numerous essays on cultural identity as it pertains to specific Asian American groups, plus whole sections on traditions and cultures, literature and authors, the arts and film. Includes illustrations, short bibliographies, and a "cultural lexicon" for Asian American terms.Reference Library of Asian America. REF E184 .O6 R44x 1996
Authoritative three-volume set provides a wealth of information on broad topics such as Asian American history, law and politics, education, women, art, business, the family, language, music, theater, film, and more. Provides lengthy introductions and histories to Asian and Pacific Islanders, Asian Indians, Cambodians, Chinese Americans, Filipinos, Hmong, Indonesians, Japanase Americans, Korean Americans, Laotians, Nepali Americans, Pakistani, Thai, and Vietnamese living in the United States. Includes bibliographies and illustrations.
Statistical Sources (to locate quantifiable information on many topics)
Statistical Record of Asian Americans. REF E184 .O6 S73 1993
Excellent source of statistics culled from a variety of government departments and other sources, focusing on demographics, family, education, culture, health and health care, social and economic conditions, business and industry, government and politics, and law and law enforcement, all pertaining to Asian Americans.
U.S. Census Bureau
Current population statistics and estimates, plus numerous special reports, mapping services, publications, and information on topics such as housing, education, income, poverty, and race & ethnicity.