Finding periodical articles is basically a two step process:
- Choosing and using the appropriate database or index to identify citations and abstracts for articles on a particular topic.
- Locating the actual article for which you have a citation, which means finding out if RWU subscribes to the print or electronic version of the periodical.
Choosing the appropriate database:
- Consult the article sources area of the RWU Library home page for links to the most frequently used databases. For a complete listing of RWU subscription databases see the Alphabetical list of Databases or the Databases by Subject Area List.
- Choose the database that is most appropriate for your research needs. Sometimes it is necessary to search several different databases depending on your topic. If you are not sure which database(s) to use, please consult the reference librarian.
- Hint:Ebsco's Academic Search Premier is a general periodical index covering all subject areas.
- Note: FirstSearch is a service that links you to many subject specific databases arranged by topic area. Please see a reference librarian if a password is required.
Once Connected to the database:
- Follow the on-screen instructions.Note what time period the database covers and whether it offers citations, abstracts, or full-text.
- Consult the database help screens if you are unfamiliar with the database features.
- Enter your search terms into the search box. If your search is successful, your results will be displayed. If no results are produced, try variant search terms or try broadening your search. Some databases provide an online thesaurus of subject words or headings.
- Your results will consist of a list of records that includes pertinent information about the article. This information (author, title of article, journal title, volume, date, page) is called a citation. The record may also contain an abstract or the full-text of the article and links to other searchable fields, such as subject or author.
- Read and evaluate the information provided in each record to see if it is valuable to your research.
- Download, print, or e-mail the records of articles you want by following the on-screen instructions.
- If the full-text of the article was not available online, there are several ways of finding out if RWU subscribes to the periodical.
- If you need help using any database, please see the reference librarian.
Locating the full-text of periodical articles:
- When searching library databases click on Check Article Linker for Full-Text availability
- If RWU subscribes to your article electronically you will be told that Content is available via the following links.
Click on Article or Journal to access your article.
- If RWU does not subscribe to the journal electronically you will get the message Sorry, no holdings were found for this journal. Below that message you will be given Additional options for finding full-text.
- Follow links to Search the HELIN library catalog directly
by journal, magazine, or newspaper titles by standard number (ISSN) start a new search
- If your periodical is not available from RWU Library you may Request an article through interlibrary loan.
***For all other databases access the HELIN Library Catalog and search by TITLE for the periodical (journal) title in which the article appears. Remember: Journal articles are NOT listed in the HELIN Library Catalog, only journal titles. To find journal articles on a topic, you should use an online reference database or index as described above.
- The HELIN Library Catalog will tell you what years the library holds for the journal you are seeking and where it can be found in the libraries. For example, an ARCH location code means that the journal is shelved in the Architecture Library.
- If the periodical is in HELIN, but not at RWU, you may go to the HELIN member library to use the periodical or request an Interlibrary Loan. If the periodical is not in HELIN and you are a RWU student, faculty, or staff, you may
Request an article through interlibrary loan or Ask a librarian.
