Top Databases

Here are the top, chiefly scholarly, databases in this subject area. What's the difference between popular and scholarly?

Top Databases

Here are the top, chiefly scholarly, databases in this subject area. What's the difference between popular and scholarly?

Searching Databases

What if I'm looking for peer-reviewed scientific research on bear hibernation?

Go to a database that covers the subject (in this case, science) like Web of Knowledge.

 

In most of these databases you can do a search for your topic in basic or advanced search by keyword to find articles, using AND, OR, or NOT to connect your terms and concepts.

  • Write out your topic in a sentence or phrase (make sure you're topic is specific enough)
  • Break it into the important concepts
  • Be sure to think of as many synonyms or alternate terms as you can(such as Ursus americanus, the scientific name for bears)
  • Connect your concepts with AND and your similar terms with OR (use not to exclude common meanings you don't want)

bear* OR Ursus americanus

AND

hibernat*

 as Topics

In a lot of databases, if you look at the full record for the article (or the limiting options) you'll also find the subject headings or descriptors that the database uses to classify any articles specifically about that topic and you can use these to re-search by subject to narrow your search.

You can then limit your results by publication year, type of material (like only peer-reviewed articles) or other criteria (review articles).

To check if a journal is peer-reviewed/refereed, search the journal by title in Ulrich's Periodical Directory--look for the referee jersey icon. More on peer-reviewed journals from the University of Texas.

Primary vs. Secondary Research Articles

You've been asked to find at least three primary research articles. Primary sources in this case:

  • are original scientific reports of new research findings
  • usually include the following sections: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, References
  • are peer-reviewed (examined by expert(s) in the field before publication).

You may also choose to use some secondary sources (summaries or interpretations of original research) such as books (find these through the library catalog) or review articles (articles which organize and critically analyze the research of others on a topic). These secondary sources are often useful and easier-to-read summaries of research in an area. Additionally, you can use the listed references to find useful primary research articles.

Primary vs. Secondary Research Articles

You've been asked to find at least three primary research articles. Primary sources in this case:

  • are original scientific reports of new research findings
  • usually include the following sections: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, References
  • are peer-reviewed (examined by expert(s) in the field before publication).

You may also choose to use some secondary sources (summaries or interpretations of original research) such as books (find these through the library catalog) or review articles (articles which organize and critically analyze the research of others on a topic). These secondary sources are often useful and easier-to-read summaries of research in an area. Additionally, you can use the listed references to find useful primary research articles.