What is a good interdisciplinary database to begin a search for scholarly articles?
How do I use databases such as Academic Search Premier to find articles across a variety of topics?
Answer
If you are just beginning your search for articles choose one of our interdisciplinary general databases.
Academic Search Premier, Gale Academic OneFile, JSTOR, and ProQuest Central (linked below) index thousands of journals and there is full-text access to many of these journals. Typically one of these databases will have at least some information on any topic.
To access these databases visit the A-Z Database list and select look by title. Or you may select one of the links below for direct access.
If you want to limit your search to scholarly articles you will want to check the 'peer reviewed' or 'scholarly journals' boxes in these journals before you run your search.
To get best results in library search tools break your topic into two or three concepts, such as "foster care AND families".
In addition to these two general databases you may find additional tools by limiting to your discipline in the 'by subject' dropdown on the Databases page. This gives you a list of subjects and allows you to view article databases that are relevant to that particular subject.
If you have questions regarding what databases are best for a particular subject area feel free to ask a librarian.
Links & Files
Media
Topics
Comments (0)
Connect with WWU Libraries
Online librarian assistance is available. Ask your question below, or use the email or chat options to connect with a librarian.
For an overview of current services see our Current Services FAQ. If you have a question about a specific FAQ please reach out to us using one of the methods below.
