Finding Anthologies
Anthology: a book made up of a collection of choice works by various authors. To find anthologies on a particular topic use the library catalog, search the term “anthology” along with the topic in question (Fig.1). Limit the Resource Format to "Book" when the search results are retrieved; this will eliminate book reviews (Fig 2).
For example: from the library Web site www.masters.edu/academics/library:
I. Search with your topic and the word “anthology” (e.g. infant baptism anthology)
Fig. 1 Search topic and anthology 
Fig. 2 Limit Research Format to Book
You could also use the field index codes to focus your search: su:obesity AND kw:anthology (Fig. 3).
kw: Keyword
ti: Title ti= Title phrase
su: Subject su= Subject phrase
au: Author au= Author phrase
AND is the Boolean operator meaning "both" or "all". That is, all terms must be in the results.
In order for the computer to recognize AND as a Boolean operator it must be in all caps.
Fig. 3 Boolean operators must be in all caps 
II. Some edited or compiled works may qualify as anthologies although they may not use the term "anthology" in the title or anywhere else in the record. Therefore, you might find what you need by using “compiled” or “edited” instead of “anthology”. Just keep in mind that not all compiled or edited works are necessarily anthologies (e.g. encyclopedias are edited but are not considered anthologies).
To find these combine “compiled OR edited” with your topic. Be sure to put "compiled OR edited" first in the search query. Also, "compiled OR edited" must be treated as keywords, so either don't put any field code or use "kw:". Then treat your topic as either a keyword or a subject. See Figure 4.
Figure 4. Use "compiled OR edited" 
Here are examples:
All terms treated as keywords:
compiled OR edited AND obesity
kw:compiled OR edited AND obesity
Compiled/edited treated as keywords, but the topic is treated as a subject:
compiled OR edited AND su:obesity
kw:compiled OR edited AND su:obesity
After receiving the results list, limit the Resource Format to "Book" (only books can be anthologies). Select the title of a relevant record. Examine the Table of Contents.
If each chapter is written by a different author, then the book by definition qualifies as an anthology. (Fig. 5)
Fig 5. Each chapter authored
Last updated November 2025.
