HELP! FINDING JOURNAL ARTICLES
Why can’t I just use websites?
What are databases?
How do I find a specific periodical title?
How will I know which database to use?
How do I search the databases?
What is the difference between scholarly/peer reviewed, trade and popular journals/magazines?
How do I get the full text of the article?
How can I get more help?
Why can’t I just use websites?
• Many websites contain useful information and some instructors may allow you to use them. But, because most are not monitored by editors or subject to peer review, many contain inaccurate or plagiarized information.
• To access full text articles from the websites of periodicals such as the New York Times or a journal, you will usually will have to pay for them. Articles accessed from the library databases or interlibrary loan are free. Print articles can be read in the library for free or copied for a small fee.
What are databases?
• Electronic access to journal articles is done through databases. While we use the internet to access them, these are not like regular websites. To use them from off campus, you must first have a hawkmail account and configure your computer. Help with access resources from off campus.
• Databases contain searchable collections of journal, magazine, and newspaper citations, abstracts and articles that have been digitized or reconfigured for the internet.
• In some cases full text of the article is available. In others, you will have to use the citation or abstract to locate the article in the rest of the library’s electronic or print collections. See help finding full text.
• These electronic collections change on a regular basis. Interfaces are improved and changes in publisher agreements will affect which journals are included and which journals are full text.
• Databases can be found on the Research Databases page.
How do I find a specific periodical title?>
• Ask a librarian for assistance in locating specific periodicals such as Newsweek, New York Times, or scholarly/peer reviewed journals. For a better understanding of scholarly, trade, and popular periodicals click here.
How will I know which database to use?
• Each database company has a different interface and provides access to different journals. Some have legal information, some current news, and some are general collections that try to cover many subjects. Ask a librarian, or see the Research Databases page list of Databases by Subject to select the appropriate database.
How do I search the databases?
• You can search databases through basic or advanced interfaces. Advanced or guided searches allow you to be much more specific in your search. You can search by title, author, subject, date, journal name, etc. Basic searches are usually keyword searches.
• Many databases use Boolean searching, connecting search terms using the words “and”, “or” and “not”. Only a few will support natural language queries where you type your question in as though you were asking a person. Most databases have useful help screens to assist you with their particular interface. Ask a librarian to help you formulate your search until you have become familiar with using the databases.
What is the difference between scholarly/peer reviewed, trade and popular journals/magazines?
• Popular magazines are produced by companies that hire reporters to write articles (“People”, “Time”, “Rolling Stone”). They often have mass appeal, and slick, glossy pages.
• Trade magazines are produced by professional associations or industry-specific publishers and usually contain material written by members of the association or professionals in that field. They often report on research, but seldom publish actual research. Nearly every profession has trade journals, from nursing to construction.
• Scholarly/peer reviewed journals contain article written by scholars (like your professors) in their field. They have a board of peer review that examines the article, and makes sure that the research and citations are valid (much like your professors do to yours). Many of these journals accept a relatively small percentage of submissions. Most have little if any advertising, and articles are usually preceded by abstracts.
• Many databases will allow you to limit your search to scholarly articles. If you are unsure if your article is scholarly, ask your professor or a librarian.
• For more information, see a comparison of scholarly/trade/popular journals.
How do I get the full text of the article?
See Help! Finding Full Text
How can I get more help?
• Stop in to the library. If you have never searched databases for articles before, it can be a bit confusing. A librarian can help you select a database, come up with a search strategy and help you navigate the different database interfaces. After a brief instruction, you’ll be better equipped to locate journal articles on your own either on or off campus. Reference hours.
• Call the reference desk at (732) 571-3438.
• E-mail a question to a librarian at Ask a Librarian. Questions will be answered within 48 hours during the regular semester.
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