Welcome to the Resourceful Researcher series!
This guide explains how to find articles about a topic using library databases.
Most databases available through the UC Davis University Library are licensed subscriptions, not free web resources.
These databases compile citations from research studies published in different academic journals. They're especially helpful when you want to find scholarly information about a topic you're writing about.
You can access databases through the University Library in two ways, by Name or Subject:
The Databases A-Z option is an alphabetical title list. It's most useful when you already know which database(s) you want to search.
A good starting point for many research topics is a database called Academic Search Complete.
To access it,select Databases A-Z and search by Academic Search Complete.
Academic Search Complete [via EBSCO] is multidisciplinary, meaning it includes content from many academic journals across many subjects. In addition, the content spans a range of dates.
Important Note:
If you plan to search from off campus, make sure you log in to the library's Virtual Private Network (VPN):
Now it's your turn! Click on the link for Academic Search Complete [via EBSCO] to begin searching.
For tips on search strategies and accessing articles, take a few minutes to watch these videos:
Combine Concepts: AND
Use Limits
Related Concepts: OR
Use Truncation
Use UC-eLinks
Type your research question here. List the search terms you're using in Academic Search Complete:
The second option to explore for database access is the library's Subject Guides.
The Subject Guides group resources by academic discipline. They're designed to help you identify relevant databases when you're not familiar with the options.
To navigate the Subject Guides, first decide whether your topic falls within the Sciences or Engineering or aligns more closely with the Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences.
Sometimes the answer will depend. Say you're researching food allergies and want to focus on new treatment options. In this context, the guides for Biology or Medicine might be good places to start.
However, if you're exploring the implications of food allergies in schools, subjects within the Social Sciences, such as Education or Sociology might be more useful.
Browse the options on the Subject Guides page. Click into a guide that looks relevant for your topic.
Next, you'll need to pick a search tool from the subset of Subject Specific Databases and General Databases included on the guide.
As you browse the options, pay close attention to the content descriptions.
Typically the larger, core databases in the subject will be listed first, but you may find many useful results in the others listed as well!
For example, on the subject guide for Education, Education Full-Text, ERIC and Sociological Abstracts are all viable options to search for scholarly citations about food allergies in schools.
List at least one Subject Guide related to your research question. Which database(s) look most relevant?
If you have additional questions about choosing databases and finding articles about your topic, watch our video on How To Choose an Article Database, or ask a librarian!
Identify one way to access subscription databases through the University Library
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