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How to find articles on a topic
There are three basic steps to finding journal articles for on a topic.
- Choose which database to search.
- Connect to the database and search the database for information on your topic.
- Identify the articles you want, then find the full text.
How to find the full text of an article
Sometimes when you search a database, you will find an abstract or reference to an article, but not the full text. We often have the journal online in a different database or in print at one of our branches.Search the library catalogue for the journal title
Tips for finding journals in the catalogue:
- A title search is more effective than a keyword seach.
- If you get too many results, limit your search to journals only. To do this, select the dropdown menu that says "View entire collection" and change this to "Periodicals".
To find out out if the library has access to the entire article, you need to search for the journal the article is in.
- Do a title search in the library catalogue for the title of the journal.
- If we have the journal, check which volume and year you need for the article, and make sure we have it.
- If the journal is in print on your home campus, you can find it on the shelves. If it is in print at another campus, you can request to have it copied and sent to you.
- If the journal is online in another database, click through to connect to the database. Search for the article by title, or browse to the volume and issue you need.
Watch a demonstration: Searching the catalogue for a journal, newspaper or magazine article.
QUT Fulltext Finder may provide links to the catalogue or to another database for you.
If we don't have the journal or volume you need
- Search the Griffith University Library catalogue to see if they have the article in print. You can request a copy of an article in print be sent to you.
- Search at other Brisbane libraries. In most cases, you can go to another library and read or copy from their print journals. In some cases, you will be able to access online journals from inside the library. Check with that library.
- If you are eligible for Document Delivery, you can request that we get the article from another library for you.
- Contact your liaison librarian for further advice and suggestions.
How to find scholarly, peer-reviewed or refereed articles
Read the database descriptions in your database subject guide to determine if they contain scholarly information. The key resources your liaison librarian has recommended will usually contain a large number of scholarly and peer-reviewed articles.
Some databases give you the option of limiting your search to scholarly or peer-reviewed articles. Two database platforms which offer this search option are EBSCOhost and ProQuest.
However, limiting your search at the beginning means you'll miss out on valuable leads to further information. The best strategy is to search all kinds of sources at first. Once you have a good overview of the information that is available on your topic, you can filter out any sources that aren't scholarly.
After you have found journal articles on your topic, consult UlrichsWeb.com to check if the journal is refereed. UlrichsWeb.com also classifies periodicals by document type such as: academic/scholarly journal, newsletter/bulletin, newspaper, trade journal, magazine.
Watch a demonstration: Determining whether a periodical is refereed
What are scholarly, peer-reviewed and refereed articles?
The terms scholarly, refereed and peer-reviewed are often used interchangeably, but it is important to understand the distinction.
Peer-reviewed and refereed
Articles published in peer-reviewed or refereed journals have been through a strict approval process. An editor and one or more subject specialists usually reviews the article before it is accepted for publication. This process is designed to ensure the article is accurate, well-researched, and contributes to the body of knowledge in a field.
Scholarly
Scholarly articles report on research or analytical studies undertaken in a scholarly environment. Some characteristics of scholarly publishing are:
- Scholarly journals are often peer-reviewed or refereed.
- Scholarly articles often start with an abstract.
- Scholarly articles rigorously cite their sources in the form of footnotes or bibliographies.
- The author of the article is normally a researcher or scholar in the field whose credentials or affiliated institution are listed at the beginning or the end of the article.
- Language used is specialised and often assumes some scholarly background on the part of the reader.
- Scholarly articles about research will describe the research methodology.
- Scholarly journals are usually published by an academic institution, research body, professional organisation, or scholarly press.