Finding Articles

To find articles on specific topics, start with an article database that covers many subject areas. Searches in databases like Academic Search Premier, LexisNexis Academic, ProQuest or Web of Science provide citations and/or full-text articles. When you find an article that is particularly relevant to your topic, note the references in the bibliography and see if Cornell has any of the journals listed.

To find specific articles, you need the citation (author, title, journal, volume, issue, date). Search the Library Catalog by the journal title. If full-text is available electronically, click on the link to the database providing access to the journal. Each database's search function works differently. Generally, once you are in the database, search by article title or author to locate the article.

See the Search Tips page for Articles for additional information about locating articles using library resources.

Mann library created a Tutorial for "Finding a Specific Article from a Specific Journal".

Search Tips Articles

The Articles search box allows you to select from a drop-down menu to search a small set of preselected databases. You can choose from EBSCOHost, Web of Science or Google Scholar:

  • General: This searches a collection of several dozen databases covering a wide range subject areas (i.e. Academic Search Complete, Business Search Complete, etc.). This is a good place to start for general news, humanities, and social sciences topics.
  • Web of Science: Web of Science indexes articles from science and some engineering journals. Web of Science is a good first search for science topics.
  • Google Scholar: Google Scholar applies Google's search algorithm specifically to academic journals, academic conference proceedings and similar. Most but not all coverage indexed by Google Scholar is peer-reviewed. Although Google Scholar can be very comprehensive, it is very difficult to navigate: You cannot break down the results by date, the titles are truncated, etc. Google Scholar is a good tool for an initial survey and/or to verify a citation.

Note that these are NOT the only databases Cornell has: You can also select another, more appropriate database you want to search from the Database Names search. For targeted searches, it is best to search databases individually.

If you are unsure what databases to search, ask a librarian.

Please note that the databases available in the Database Names search represent only a fraction of the online resources available at Cornell. To access the majority of Cornell materials and the collections of many other libraries worldwide, search the Catalog. To access only materials available from Cornell University Library, including other reference resources, search the Classic Catalog.

System Messages or Errors: If you experience problems with databases using either system, please fill out a Problem Connecting form to notify library staff.

Finding databases

Databases

To find subject-specific databases, start with the Library Web site in that subject specialty. For example, if your topic has to do with agriculture, look at Mann Library's Web site. If you topic has to do with engineering, take a look at the Engineering Library's Web site. You can also browse for selected databases by subject.

Because not all databases are listed on the Library Web sites, contact a librarian if you do not see a database that addresses your research needs.

 

Get it! Cornell

What is "Get it!"?

The Get it! Cornell link connects to the full-text of articles in places like Google Scholar or databases that only have article abstracts. (If you are off campus be sure to be logged in Kerberos with your NetID and password, or use PassKey.)

Sometimes a direct link to full-text is not available on the Get it! Cornell page. In those cases, click the links to search the Library Catalog by ISSN or ISBN (preferred) or by title and determine whether we own or have access to the item, either online through another source or in print (hardcopy).

If the Library does not own or have access to the item you need, use the link on the Get it! Cornell page to request it through Interlibrary Loan or Document Delivery.

Get it! Cornell

What is "Get it!"?

The Get it! Cornell link connects to the full-text of articles in places like Google Scholar or databases that only have article abstracts. (If you are off campus be sure to be logged in Kerberos with your NetID and password, or use PassKey.)

Sometimes a direct link to full-text is not available on the Get it! Cornell page. In those cases, click the links to search the Library Catalog by ISSN or ISBN (preferred) or by title and determine whether we own or have access to the item, either online through another source or in print (hardcopy).

If the Library does not own or have access to the item you need, use the link on the Get it! Cornell page to request it through Interlibrary Loan or Document Delivery.

Distinquishing scholarly from non-scholarly periodicals

Distinguishing scholarly from non-scholarly periodicals (articles and papers):

Journals and magazines are important sources for up-to-date information in all disciplines. In this guide we have divided periodical literature into four categories:

  • Scholarly
  • Substantive news or general interest
  • Popular
  • Sensational

Scholarly

  • Scholarly journals generally have a sober, serious look. They often contain many graphs and charts but few glossy pages or exciting pictures.
  • Scholarly journals always cite their sources in the form of footnotes or bibliographies.
  • Articles are written by a scholar or someone who has done research in the field.
  • The language of scholarly journals is that of the discipline covered. It assumes some scholarly background on the part of the reader.
  • The main purpose of a scholarly journal is to report on original research or experimentation to make the information available to the rest of the scholarly world.
  • Examples of scholarly journals: American Economic Review, Archives of Sexual Behavior, JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, Modern Fiction Studies

Substantive news or general interest

  • These periodicals may be quite attractive in appearance. Some are in newspaper format. Articles are often heavily illustrated and generally contain photographs.
  • News and general interest periodicals sometimes cite sources, a scholar, or a freelance writer.
  • The language of these publications is geared to any educated audience. There is no special training assumed, only interest and a certain level of intelligence.
  • They are generally published by commercial enterprises or individuals, although some come from professional organizations.
  • The main purpose of periodicals in this category is to provide general information to a broad audience of concerned citizens.
  • Examples of substantive news or general-interest periodicals: The Economist, National Geographic, The New York Times, Scientific American

Popular

  • Popular periodicals come in many formats, although they are often somewhat slick and attractive in appearance and have many graphics.
  • These publications rarely, if ever, cite sources. Information published in such journals is often second- or third-hand, and the original source is sometimes obscured.
  • Articles are usually very short, written in simple language, and designed to meet a minimal education level. There is generally little depth to the content of these articles.
  • Articles are written by staff members or freelance writers.
  • The main purpose of popular periodicals is to entertain the reader, sell products (their own or their advertisers'), and/or promote a viewpoint.
  • Examples of popular periodicals: Ebony, Parents, People, Reader's Digest, Sports Illustrated, Time, Vogue

Sensational

  • Sensational periodicals come in a variety of styles but often use a newspaper format.
  • The language is elementary and occasionally inflammatory or sensational. They assume a certain gullibility in their audience.
  • The main purpose of sensational magazines seems to be to arouse curiosity and cater to popular superstitions. They often do so with flashy headlines designed to astonish (e.g., "Half-man Half-woman Makes Self Pregnant").
  • Examples of sensational periodicals: The Globe, The National Enquirer, The Star, Weekly World News

How to Identify Scholarly Journals

How to Identify Scholarly Journals

How to Identify Substantive News Articles