University of Michigan-Flint

Why Use Articles For Research? Articles are often the best resources for research because

• They are current
  
• They cover many subjects, often very specifically
  
• They can be scholarly or popular
  

What Are Periodical Databases?

Periodical databases are used to find articles published in magazines, journals or newspapers. They contain article references and sometimes also full-text articles on specific topics. For example, PsychInfo is a periodical database providing references to scholarly journal articles and other publications on psychology and psychiatry. Other databases, such as ProQuest Research Library, cover many subjects. Periodical databases are also known as periodical indexes, article databases, abstracts, or full text databases. ProQuest Research Library is a full text article database. Full text databases provide links to complete articles online. Full text article databases are very useful and can save students time. Even in a full text database, though, there will be some article references that do NOT have links to the complete article.

Step-By-Step Guide to Finding Articles

Follow the steps below to quickly and efficiently use library databases to find the articles you need.

• Clearly define your research topic and need
  
  
  • What subject are you researching?
  • Think about the subject more broadly and more narrowly
    
    
    • What more general subject encompasses your topic?
    • Can you think of specific examples within your topic?
    
    
  • How much information do you need?
  • What type of information do you want?
  
  
• Identify key words that best describe your topic
  
  
  • Select two or three terms
  • Identify possible synonyms
  • Consider broader (or more general), narrower (or more specific), and related terms
  
  
• Refine your search using subject headings and Boolean logic
  • Subject headings describe the content of an article, often more precisely than the title of the article does.
  • If you find the appropriate subject heading for your topic, you will often be able to zero in on useful articles, while leaving out of your results articles that are not precisely on topic.
  
  
• Select the best article database for your research
  
  
  • Select a database corresponding to your subject on theThompson Library's homepage (lib.umflint.edu), using the Please select a subject drop-down menu, in the left column (labeled Resources).

  • If you don't know where to start, try ProQuest Research Library, because it covers a wide array of subjects and contains many full-text articles.

  • All databases are available from off campus with your uniqname and password (also used to logon to campus computers). Carefully review any instructions on the database pages, and use handouts available in the library for each database. Contact the Reference staff if you have ANY questions or can't find what you need.

  • ASK FOR HELP at anytime. You may need to use more than one database to find the information you need.

  • You may need to find more article references than you need, to make sure enough of the articles are available in the Thompson Library, either in print or online (the library may not subscribe to all the magazines or journals in which the articles you want were published).

  • Remember, some full text articles are available online, including many of those in ProQuest Research Library, which provides full text for over 3500 journals covering all subjects. Many article databases provide only the citation or reference, not full text.
  
  
• Use the HELP screens for the database you are using, review results, and select the best articles for your purpose.

• To find the full text of the articles you select:
  • If a full text link appears in the article reference, click it to retrieve the full text of the article.

  • If you do not see a full text link, click the title of the article to retrieve the full record for the article.

  • Within the record, click the Find full text link.

  • If the Thompson Library has the journal, the journal title will display, with links to the databases in which full text can be found, or to Mirlyn (the Thompson Library Catalog), if the library has it as a print publication (UM-Flint print holdings)

  • Check to see if the library's holdings include the date of the issue that you need

  • Click the link to the database in which the full text you need is available, or go to the Periodicals section of the library
    
    
    • If you are opening another database to find your article, the steps you must take to get to your article will vary depending on the database. In some you will find the journal you need already opened, so all you do is locate the volume, issue, and then the actual article. Other databases require that you do a search for your article again (that is, you must enter a new search, perhaps with words from the title and author of the article).

    • If the journal that you want is available in UM-Flint print holdings, you will need to go to the Periodicals section on the third floor of the Thompson Library for your article. Note the journal title, the volume, issue, date and pages, as well as the author and title of the article to help you to find it on the shelf.

  • If the article is not available in online full text, or in the Thompson Library Periodicals section, use Interlibrary Loan to request the article from another library. Articles often arrive within a few days, but allow at least 7-10 working days.

• Ask Reference librarians for help as needed, or call 810-762-3408.