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Research Process: Find Sources

Explains how to find a topic and turn it into a search. Shows you how to find, evaluate, use, and cite books and articles for use in your research.

What Are Databases?

Find Library Databases

If you've got a citation

If you already have a citation, the title of journal, it's ISSN, or would prefer to browse journals by a particular subject, follow the steps below:

                       

  1. Click on the Journals tab from the library search bar
  2. Choose from the following options in the drop-down menu to the left of the search box: Title begins with, title equals, title contains all words, or ISSN equals.
  3. Enter all or part of the journal title and then select the SEARCH button. Make sure that you are entering the title of the journal, not the title of the article itself. 
  4. Locate the correct title from the results list. 
  5. Select the title with the dates that you need and choose the database name next to your preferred dates. 
  6. You will be redirected to another screen where you can search for your article. 
  7. If the journal or date you want is not available, order the article through interlibrary loan using the link below. 

Finding a Full-Text Journal Article

Some of our databases provide full-text articles (indicated by a PDF or HTML link after the citation).  Others only show you the titles of articles.  For these, click Article Linker to find out whether we own the journal in print and/or online.

If we do not have access to the article you need, you can request it (free of charge).  After logging into your InterLibrary Loan account, the system will automatically fill out the necessary information - you just need to hit Submit Request at the bottom of the page!

New Users to the InterLibrary Loan service, may set up an InterLibrary Loan account here:

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What about Websites?

The internet can be a great place to do research - especially if you are looking for very recent information.  Remember that YOU as the researcher are responsible for evaluating the credibility of your sources.  

Recommended websites are included in many of our online research guides.  This is a great place to start:

Finding it on the shelf

The book's call number is like its address on the shelf. 

Screenshot of Book Record with Call Number

The call number on the book will be vertical, rather than horizontal.  In order to locate the book on the shelf, work your way through the lines:

                Find the books in the PZ section.

                Within the PZ section, find the books with 7 in the call number.

                Within the PZ  7 section, find the books with .G, then 8233, etc. until you have worked your way through the call number.

If the call number is preceded by REF, the book may be on the first floor and must be used in the Library.  Most other books will be on the third floor unless they are labeled as Oversized and available on the second floor.