Finding Articles on a Subject and Finding a Database

How do I find articles on my subject?

To find journal, magazine, or newspaper articles, you need to use an article index.  An article index is a searchable database containing records of thousands of articles which may lead you to full-text articles or it may give you a list of citations. Indexes can also include citations to book chapters, conference reports, government publications and more.  Use the Search Library Resources search box on the library home page to begin searching.

Search the appropriate index for your subject and compile a list of article citations. If you need assistance in selecting the right database please feel free to Ask Us!

Which database should I use?

Not sure which article index to use? It depends on the kind and the amount of information you need to complete your research.  Newsbank, Facts.com and Lexis-Nexis are good for searching newspapers, while other databases are multidisciplinary or subject-specific. You may need to check more than one database in order to do a thorough search.  If you don’t know where to begin your search, start with a general or multi-disciplinary index:

Multidisciplinary databases:  

• Such as ProQuest and Wilson OmniFile search many sources simultaneously for journal, magazine and newspaper article, books, proceedings, education reports and government publications.  The Quick Search utility of 360 Search enables you to search across selected multidisciplinary databases simultaneously.

• Particularly good for current information and for social topics, such as gun control or the funding of political parties.

OR ... try a specialized index for more in-depth articles:

Subject-specific databases:

For more in depth research on your topic use a subject-specific database. 360 Search enables you to search multiple databases at the same time.  You can search within subject areas or do a Quick Search of multidisciplinary databases.

Do you need help?  Ask Us!