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| Basic Steps | Accessing Library Databases | Search Tips | Scholarly v. Popular | Getting the Text | PDF version |
The University Library subscribes to over 80 research databases which act as specialized search engines for journal articles and other research in specific disciplines. Depending on the database, the results may include descriptions of many different types of publications, including books, magazine articles, scholarly journal articles, etc. Make sure you are choosing materials appropriate for your assignment. Some of the databases include the full-text of the articles listed in the search results. In others, use a tool such as to see if the library subscribes to the journal. |
This database searches over 8 million articles published from 1985 to the present in 3,000 different periodicals, mostly from from scholarly, peer-reviewed journals. Every result includes an abstract (one-paragraph description) of an article. Many of the results also include the full-text of the article. |
- Go to the Library web site.
- Click
- For basic undergraduate research, Academic Search Elite is a good place to start. For advanced research, choose a subject to access more comprehensive databases.
- Off-campus users will be prompted to enter a current Stanislaus ID # (and last name).
Library research databases are often more rigid in how terms are typed into a search box than generic web search engines (like Google). Some tips for searching Academic Search Elite (which also work in most other library research databases):
A) Break your search down into key concepts.
Example: For the topic the effects of violent TV programs on kids as they grow up, your key concepts might be television, violence and children.
B) Separate your key concepts with the word and.
And is the Boolean Operator that ensures each concept will appear in every search result.
Example: television and violence and children
C) Limit the search to scholarly journal articles.
Many assignments require students use scholarly articles from peer-reviewed (also known as refereed) journals. (See the handout on Scholarly vs. Popular for more information.)
Academic Search Elite will include articles from popular magazines as well as scholarly journals unless the correct search parameter is chosen.
Tip: In Academic Search Elite, on the Advanced Search screen check the Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) Journals box.
Other library databases often include citations to materials other than articles, such as dissertations and book chapters.
Tip: On the search screens, look for options to limit to journal articles (sometimes found under Document Type, Record Type, or Pulication Type).
Some databases, including Academic Search Elite, provide direct access to the full-text of many of the articles listed in the search results. In Academic Search Elite, if the Find It! button does not appear below a search result, the full-text should be immediately available by clicking on the following icons:
HTML Full Text = Text of article available (looks like a web page)
PDF Full Text = PDF file of article available (looks like a photocopy)
= the database does not include the full-text of the article, but
the Find It! service will search for it in other online
library subscriptions as well as the list of the library's print journals
Using the Service
For more information, see the Find It! guide. The Find It! service will open a new menu with one or two of the following results:
Full text available via
(Name of Library Subscription Service)
- accesses the text of the article in a different library subscription
We may have:
a copy in print listed in the Library Catalog
- note volume and/or year of desired article; click the link to display volumes/years owned in print or microfilm by library
This item may be available via
Interlibrary Loan.
- indicates you may request a copy of the article via Interlibrary Loan (usually arrives in 5-7 days)
For more help, see Is this available in the library? guide.
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