Section 2: Finding Articles

Frequently asked questions regarding Electronic Resources:

How do I find an article on a certain topic?

Choosing a topic

McGrath Library subject resources link

• McGrath Library subscribes to numerous electronic databases which can be used to find articles.  They can be accessed via http://www.hilbert.edu/Library2FindArticles.asp   
• Descriptions of each database can also be found by hovering over each name with the mouse.    Some of the databases are very subject specific, while others are more general. 
• Two databases which are good starting points, and contain many articles on a wide range of topics are EBSCOhost and ProQuest.  By clicking on the links to either of these, you can start your search.    Example:   Starting at the main page of databases (http://www.hilbert.edu/Library2FindArticles.asp),  click on the link for the ProQuest database.  What you will see is the main search screen for ProQuest. 
• Assuming your topic is women and domestic violence, you could begin your search process by entering the terms “women and domestic violence”  into the main search box, and then selecting “Search”. 
• Since this is a very general topic, you will notice that your search will retrieve a large number of articles.  Depending on what you are going to use the information for and whether or not you can narrow down your topic, you can start to sort through the results, and pick out articles that are most relevant to your specific needs. 
• There are many different strategies and options you can use while searching within our electronic resources, depending on what kind of information you are looking for.  The best thing you can do is seek help from a librarian.

How do I find a specific article or journal?

• If you have the citation or abstract of a specific article, or are searching for a specific journal you can use the electronic database A to Z.  Beginning at the main Library page  (http://www.hilbert.edu/Library2.asp), select the link for A to Z.  This will bring up a page with a search box.  If you know, for example, that you are looking for the following citation:
• Sommers, M.S., & Dyehouse, J.M., & Howe, S.R., & Wekselman, K., & Fleming, M. (2002). 
  “Nurse, I only had a couple of beers”:  Validity of self-reported drinking before serious vehicular injury.  American Journal of Critical Care, v11, i2, p. 106-114.
• Your first step is to identify the source of the article (what journal, newspaper, or magazine is it from?).  This article is found in the American Journal of Critical Care, by making sure that the “title name” option is selected, then clicking on “Search” at the bottom of the screen.
• You will notice that your results show two different databases where you can find this article full-text.  It is important to note the date of your article and to make sure this is included in the database which you choose.  Selecting the second option (Health Reference Center Academic) will take you to a list of years and volume numbers.  This particular article is from 2002, Volume 11, Issue 2.  Clicking on the appropriate year and volume number, you will find a list of articles within that specific issue.  Then you can scroll through until you find the correct article!
• You can use A to Z to find a specific article within a journal, find a specific journal title, and browse different articles.

When I conduct a search, all of my results are only citations or abstracts. How do I get the full-text?

• There are a few options if you encounter this problem.  First, most databases have an option under their Advanced Search Options to select if you only want to search and retrieve results that are full text articles.  Ask a librarian for help if you would like to know how to do this.
• Some databases only provide the citations and/or abstracts to articles (such as Criminal Justice Abstracts).  You can search for the full text of a citation or abstract within A to Z (refer to the above section for instructions on how to do this).

How do I request an article through Interlibrary Loan?

• If you cannot find the article full-text using A to Z, you can also request the article via InterLibrary Loan (ILL).  Fill out a form online: http://www.hilbert.edu/LibraryRequestForm.asp
• Frequently Asked Questions About InterLibrary Loan http://www.hilbert.edu/library2InterlibraryLoan.asp

What is the difference between a scholarly and a non-scholarly article?

• http://www.lib.duke.edu/libguide/popvs.schol.htm

Section 2 Questions

1. Using the database A to Z (found at http://www.hilbert.edu/Library2.asp), find the following article in full-text:

• Cavallero, J.J. (2004).  Gangsters, fessos, tricksters, and sopranos:  The historical roots of Italian American stereotype anxiety.  Journal of Popular Film & Television, 32(2), 50-63.

What database did you find it in?

2. Using the Advanced Search option in ProQuest, search for "Bill Coffin" using the option for author and search for "Ethics and Compliance" using the Document Title option.

What is the full title of the article and what journal is it in?

3. Open up the database EBSCOhost, and select the two databases Academic Search Premier and Business Source Complete.  Using the Advanced Search Options, search for the title:

• The Top-Line Allure of Offshoring

What is the name of the journal this article was published in and what month & year?

4. Using the database Criminal Justice Abstracts, conduct an Advanced Title Search for:

• Incidence of child abuse in serial killers

What journal is this article in?

Can you find this article full text?