How to Find Journal Articles
Journal articles are important references when conducting your research or writing your term paper. When you need to look for journal articles, the following situations might occur to you:
- I have a particular topic and some keywords, where do I start?
- I have specific bibliographic information, how do I find the article I need?
- I couldn’t locate the article I need, what should I do?
1. I have a particular topic and some keywords, where do I start?
Electronic databases or E-Resources Metasearch System are good tools for searches using keywords.
Electronic databases
| Abstract & Index database | Full-text database |
|---|---|
| Usually keywords are used to search in A&I databases. Your search results normally will include：article title, author(s), source (journal title, volume, issue, page numbe ) and abstract. Full-text is not always available in A&I databases. | In addition to keyword search, you may browse journal content by issue in this kind of database. Full-text articles are available online. However, the accessibility to online full-text still depends on whether the content has been digitalized or not, as well as the library’s subscriptions. |
| Subject Area：General or Multi-disciplines | |
| Databases such as: Web of Science, Index to Chinese Periodical Literature, etc., cover comprehensive subject areas. Some of the multi-discipline databases are more suitable for some subjects. For example, EI Compendex (via ProQuest Dialog) is used for different subjects in Engineering, while Business Source Complete (BSC) (via EBSCOhost) is used for subjects in business. | |
| Subject Area：Domain Specific | |
| Some databases are more domain specific, such as MLA International Bibliography , which is only for the language and literature domain; Econlit is for economic literature. | |
It is important for you to know the coverage of a database, such as subject areas or time coverage, before you start your search. View the subject areas of databases in our Database List or schedule an appointment for a workshop with a librarian if you need help.
Easy Search System
Easy Search System integrates most of the library e-resources and enables users to search across multiple databases simultaneously and to further access the original databases through the search results.
2. I have specific bibliographic information, how do I find the article I need?
If you have specific bibliographic information, i.e. a particular author, article title as well as source information, A-to-Z e-Journal List should be your first choice. If online full-text is not available, you may link to FCU WebOPAC to check if there is a copy of the printed version.
3. I couldn’t locate the article I need, what should I do?
- Check the National Serials Union Catalogs first to see which library owns the document you need.
- Request the article via Nationwide Document Delivery Services online. Registration is required before using this service, and you will be notified by an email within 2 workdays. Then you can submit your request online.
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