Options for Journal and Article Searching
Using the CSUSM Catalog and Research Databases
| What you want | Where to Look | How to Look | |
| Any Education Journal | Library Catalog | Keyword Search | Example 1 |
| Journal by Subject | Library Catalog | Subject Search | Example 2 |
| Journal by Title | Library Catalog | Title Search | Example 3 |
| Journal by Genre/Format | Library Catalog (CSUSM) | Genre Search | Example 4 |
| Article by Topic | Research Database | Keyword or Subject Search | Example 5 |
| Article by Citation | Catalog→Research Database | Title or author Search | Example 6 |
#5--Article Search
by Topic in the CSUSM Research Databases
First--You need to choose a database. Refer to the suggested databases on the main journal page. OR select from the complete list of databases available through the library web page.
Keep in mind that different journals will be found in different databases and sometimes may be available through more than one database. For citation purposes, you will need to record where (which database) you found the article text.
Also, the screens will look different, but search strategies are pretty much the same. Gabriela Sonntag will be reviewing this in more detail with you later in the semester.
Second--Using ERIC as the database to search. We will look for journal articles on bilingual education administration.
Third--NO RESULTS! How can that be?
This is where you learn about the tricks of different databases. ERIC, like many databases, will take 3 words or more and search those terms as a fixed phrase ("bilingual education administration" rather than looking for each word individually and bringing back any articles that have those 3 words and it seems that exact phrase doesn't exist.) So, you have to outsmart the computer.
The new search is: bilingual education AND administration (Note the AND between the box containing 'bilingual education' and the box containing 'administration'.) ALSO, in the 'Limited to' options, click 'articles' so that you do not retrieve other materials such as documents, gray literature and conference proceedings that ERIC offers.
Fourth--Scan the articles for what serves your needs or try different searches with other terms, different limiters, or another database.
Fifth--Found an article you want? Some databases will offer full text, others will not. Here is what you might see:
IF YOU SEE:
YOU HAVE:
HTML Full Text
Full text access PDF Full Text
Full text access Various access options. See the Sixth Step below No link options? (Rare, but can happen) The librarian for help
Sixth--Don't see the full
text options? You should see the
link
as an option.
This is a sample screen that will open over your search results, your options will vary. If no full text access is available, a link to the Interlibrary Loan request form will be offered.
