The MU Library has more than 150 databases. All MU students and employees have access to subscription databases on campus. Remote access to databases requires entering your username and password for verification. You can access individual research databases from the Library website under Quick Links, A-Z Database List or using links in research guides. You can also use HawkFind which simultaneously searches across several of our major databases.
Google Scholar is also good source to glean citation information if a patron has partial information, such as article title.
Use Journal Locator to see if the Library has full text access to a journal or magazine, or to browse for articles in the title.
Anatomy of a Scholarly Article: NCSU Libraries
Learn about clues to look for in identifying a scholarly article.
Use the word "AND" to combine your keywords to make your search more specific.
eg. "substance abuse" AND domestic violence
Use synonyms and alternative terms. Related terms, broader or narrower, will also bring up relevant results.
eg. teenagers | adolescents | youth
Use "quotation marks" to search for phrases.
"substance abuse"
Use Truncation "*" to search for words with common roots without entering them individually.
eg. searching for teen* retrieves teen, teens, teenaged, teenagers
You can limit search results in many databases to academic/peer-reviewed journals, by publication date, or full-text only.
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Popular Magazines |
Trade Journals |
Scholarly Journals |
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Audience |
All readers |
Professionals working in a specific field. Example: Nurses |
Scholars and Students |
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Appearance |
Glossy paper, many ads and pictures |
Glossy paper, short articles, many ads and pictures |
Research articles with charts and graphics, few pictures |
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Author |
Freelance writers or journalists hired by magazine |
Members of the profession |
Professors, scholars or teachers in the field |
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Purpose |
Entertain and inform |
Keep professionals up to date with trends in the field |
Publish new research in the field |
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References |
Very few citations |
Very few citations |
References are listed at the end of each article |
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Authority |
Articles reviewed by magazine’s editors |
Articles reviewed by magazine’s editors |
Articles undergo peer-review by scholars within the same field |
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Frequency |
Published weekly or monthly |
Published weekly or monthly |
Published a few times a year, quarterly |
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Examples |
Time, People |
Advertising Age, Education Week |
Higher Education Research & Development |