FAQ: For IDS courses, how do I research my topic through the four lenses?

To find articles on each of the four lenses, start by reading the disciplines listed for each of the lenses in the Lenses Identified section of your IDS Research Guide. Then, read the Examples of the Lenses and pay attention to the key terms used. Once you learn the disciplines and key terms, focus on ones that fit your topic the best and search them as keywords in a Boolean search alongside your topic in the Multi-Search or in any of the content-specific databases listed in the Lenses Identified sections of  IDS-400, IDS-401, IDS-402, IDS-403, or IDS-404. You can also see examples of articles chosen for certain topics under each lens in the IDS 100 Guide: Research Topics.

Example topic: Mental Depression

Humanities Lens searches

• “Mental Depression” AND Religion
• “Mental Depression” AND Literature
• “Mental Depression” AND Philosophy
• “Mental Depression” AND Art
• “Mental Depression” AND Music

Social Science Lens searches

• “Mental Depression” AND Psychology
• “Mental Depression” AND Therapy
• “Mental Depression” AND Behavior
• “Mental Depression” AND Relationships

Natural Science Lens searches

• “Mental Depression” AND Pharmacology
• “Mental Depression” AND Medication
• “Mental Depression” AND “Brain Function”
• Antidepressants AND “Brain Function”

History Lens searches

• “Mental Depression” AND “Historical Context”
• “Mental Depression” AND “History of Psychiatry”