LibGuides: EN 101-39: College Composition : Finding Articles

What are Databases and Why do you Need Them?

Use these databases to continue research and target more resources specific to topics explored in this course.

Academic Search Complete (EBSCO)
General database recommended for finding scholarly articles in most disciplines.
JSTOR
Multidisciplinary archive of scholarly journal literature.
Literary Reference Center (EBSCO)
Includes books and monographs, literary encyclopedias & reference works, & literary journals, with detailed information on the most studied authors.
Literature Resource Center
Scholarly journals & literary magazines combined with critical essays, work & topic overviews, full-text works, biographies, information on authors & literary movements.
ProQuest Central
General database for scholarly and popular articles on most disciplines.

Use the word "AND" to combine your keywords to make your search more specific, e.g. "substance abuse" AND "domestic violence."
Use synonyms and alternative or related terms - broader or narrower - to expand your relevant results, e.g. "teenagers" | "adolescents" | "youth"
Use truncation "*" to search for words with common roots without entering them individually, e.g. searching for teen* retrieves "teen," "teens", "teenaged", "teenagers." Use the "star" symbol (hit "shift" key + 8) to add truncation to your search term.
You can limit search results in many databases to academic/peer-reviewed journals, by publication date, or full-text only.

All three types of periodicals may appear online or in print.
If you are not sure whether your article is appropriate, ask your instructor.
Start from Advanced Search screen and use database filters to select your source type.

Popular	Trade	Scholarly
Colorful covers Glossy paper Ads Articles on current events General interest Short articles Written by general staff Reviewed by general editor No bibliographies or footnotes Usually called magazines	Glossy Ads Articles on industry trends Short articles Written for members of specific industry Written by staff or experts in the field Short or no bibliographies	Plain cover, plain paper No ads Primary research, theories, methodologies Lengthy, in-depth articles Written for researchers & professionals Written by experts in the field & researchers Peer reviewed by subject experts Extensive bibliographies & references