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How to Find Journal Articles

Periodicals Indexes and Databases

A periodicals index or database is a means of finding articles in journals, magazines or newspapers. Journals are published by and for professionals in specialized fields, and contain articles emphasizing research and analysis and often concentrate on specific areas within a discipline. An explanation of major differences between scholarly and popular articles can be found in the Scholarly Journal v. Popular Magazine Articles guide. Citations for periodical articles can be found using online, print and CD-ROM indexes. Databases, which are indexes with some full text articles, can also be used. Each format has its strengths and weaknesses.

Once you have an article citation, there are three main methods of getting the full text of the article itself, described under Finding Periodicals in the Andersen Library below.

Choosing an Index or Database

Some indexes and databases are discipline specific, e.g., PsycINFO for psychology and MLA International Bibliography for literature. In comparison, databases such as EBSCO's Academic Search Complete and MasterFILE Premier cover a wide range of subjects and include articles from both academic journals and popular magazines. When choosing an index or database to search, consider the subject area, the depth of information desired and the complexity of the question. Sometimes a topic will cross several subject areas, and it can be helpful to look at the way the topic is treated in different resources.

Choosing a Format

Electronic indexes and databases, henceforth referred to as databases, are especially useful when a topic combines more than one concept. They can also search many years at one time. Citations in databases are often more current than those in print indexes, sometimes appearing within a few days of publication. In most databases it is possible to print, save or email the citation and/or complete article. The Andersen Library has over 200 databases.

Print indexes are valuable when a subject area is not well covered by the Library’s databases, or when older articles are needed. Few databases index articles written before 1983.

Location of Indexes and Databases

Lists of the Library’s databases can be reached by selecting Articles from the Find menu on any library webpage. The lists are alphabetical, by subject and by system. Print indexes are located on tall stacks adjacent to the Law collection on the Library’s main floor. A few CD-ROM indexes and databases are on workstation S2 in the Reference Alcove.

Finding Articles on a Particular Topic

The first step in finding articles on a topic is to think of words which describe it. Start searching for the most specific terms and, if relevant articles aren't listed, revise the search using more general terms. Print indexes have "see also" references which list related subjects. Article entries in databases often include descriptors or subject headings which are helpful in picking alternate terms. These terms are often linked and you can find all the articles using that particular descriptor by clicking on it.

Most print indexes have an introduction which explains what subjects are covered and how some special items are handled. For example, the introduction to the print Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature tells how to find movie reviews and several other specific kinds of articles.

Databases have help screens to aid in developing productive searches.

Online user guides are available for most of the Andersen Library’s databases. These guides can be found online.

Citations

Citations include the author and title of an article, the name of the periodical and information such as volume number, issue number, date of publication and page number. When looking for an article it is important to write down or print out all the citation information, including the full title of the periodical. Most print indexes use abbreviations for journal titles and it is necessary to look at the beginning of each volume to find the full title.

Finding Periodicals in the Andersen Library

If the database you are using does not have the full text of an article, the Find It button usually appears. Use this button to see whether you can retrieve the full text from another database or link to the Andersen Library catalog to find the location of the journal in print or microform.

If there is no Find It button or you are not in a database, use the Journal Holdings list to see whether and where the Andersen Library has what you want. This is the most complete listing of UW-W periodicals. It includes periodicals that are full text online, in print, film or fiche on the Library’s first floor, and in CD-ROM periodical databases. When using the Journal Holdings list it is important to note the dates of coverage available in a database or held by the Library. It can be accessed by selecting Journal Holdings from the Find menu on any library webpage.

The catalog contains the titles of print and microform periodicals the Library subscribes to, as well as some of those that are full text in databases. It cannot be used to search for articles. To find a print periodical, use the Basic Search in the catalog. Type the periodical title in the Search for box. Highlight Journal Title in the Search By menu and click on Search.

The catalog can also be used to find print and microform periodical titles in the Library in a given subject area. For example, select Subject Heading and type sociology periodicals to get a list of titles of periodicals in sociology.

The catalog holdings indicate what years the Library has for a particular periodical, and where specific issues can be found. Periodicals are avail-able in several locations on the first floor of the Library, including: Current, Periodicals Bound Stacks, and the Periodicals Microform Room, on fiche, film and CD-ROM.

Checking Out a Periodical

Periodicals may not be checked out, but may be used anywhere in the Library. Please do not reshelve after use, instead leave them on one of the designated carts.

Copying Articles

Copyright law generally permits making single copies for research purposes. Photocopies cost 10¢ per page. Photocopy machines are operated by HawkCards or copy cards purchased at the vending machine near the Circulation Desk. Photocopiers are located in the periodicals area on the first floor and in the Copier Room adjacent to the Circulation desk.

Interlibrary Loan

If the Library does not have the article you need, you can request it through Interlibrary Loan using ILLiad. There is a $1 fee for the service and it usually takes 2 to 3 business days for articles to arrive online. ILLiad is linked directly from the Find It menu, and also from My Accounts in the header on all Library webpages.

Help

For additional assistance, contact a Reference Librarian at (262) 472-1032, by email or chat, or in person at the Library’s Reference Desk.

Last Revised: MS - 8/5/2009