As part of your studies, you may need to locate and read specific journal articles that aren't directly linked from a module reading list. Being able to find and access these articles is a crucial skill for university students at all levels, from undergraduate to postgraduate research.
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- Journals
How do I use LibrarySearch to find a specific article?
LibrarySearch is a powerful tool and should be your first choice to locate the full text of an article quickly and easily. Simply follow these steps:
- Enter the article title (or a portion of it), for example: "The impact of social media on mental health".
- If you know the author's name, add it to the search box after the title: "The impact of social media on mental health" Smith.
- Click the search button or press Enter.
- Check your results to make sure it's the correct item. If a PDF is available, click 'Download PDF' to access the full text directly. If no PDF is available, click 'Check for online access' to see if the article is available through other databases or sources.
- If you're not already logged into your university account, you'll be asked to do so when accessing the full text.
- PDFs can be downloaded, or alternatively consider saving your results in LibrarySearch, or exporting them into reference management software.
Top tips for refining your search
If you don't find the article on your first search, try the following tips:
- Double-check the spelling of the title and author's name to ensure they're correct and free of typos, especially if you copied the article title from another source.
- If the article title contains punctuation like exclamations or quotation marks, remove them and search again, as they can occasionally interfere with the search.
- If the title of the article is lengthy and includes a subtitle, try removing it to keep your search simple. Including too much information can sometimes hamper your search.
- For the most accurate results, enter the article's DOI (Digital Object Identifier) into the search box if you have it available.
What if I can’t find what I need via LibrarySearch?
- Some databases/journal collections may not be fully integrated with LibrarySearch, meaning they hold unique content that can only be found by searching them separately. Examples include
- Westlaw - used by Law
- Lexis - used by Law
- Construction Information Service - used by Engineering
- If an article title search doesn't yield results, try searching for the journal title instead.
- Not all journals are indexed at article level in LibrarySearch.
- A journal title search can help you find the database where the journal is located.
- Once you've found the database, you can search for your article directly within it.
- Check your Subject Guide for details of databases specific to your subject area.
- Although LibrarySearch should be your go-to search tool for quickly and easily searching across subscribed and open-access content, you could also try other recommended academic search engines.
- If you still can’t access the article you need you could try our inter-library loan service.
Remember, if you need help finding a specific article, don't hesitate to ask contact us via library@abertay.ac.uk
Why might I need to find a specific journal article?
As part of your studies or research you may need to locate and read specific journal articles that aren't directly linked from a module reading list. The reasons for doing so may vary depending on your level of study, such as undergraduate, postgraduate taught, or postgraduate research:
- You found it referenced in another source (all levels): whilst reading other sources, you may find articles referenced that you also wish to use. It's good academic practice to always read the original and draw your own conclusions.
- You want to find the original source (all levels, especially postgraduate): sometimes, you might encounter a reference to an article that piques your curiosity or seems crucial to your research. In these cases, tracking down the original article can provide you with valuable insights and help you better understand the context of the information you've found elsewhere. This is particularly important for postgraduate students who are expected to engage with primary sources and original research in their field.
- It's a key piece of research in your field (all levels, especially postgraduate): certain journal articles become seminal works within a particular field of study. As a university student, it's important to be familiar with these key articles and the impact they've had on your discipline. While this is relevant at all levels, postgraduate students are expected to have a more comprehensive understanding of the key research in their field.
- You're conducting a literature review (postgraduate research): when working on an assignment, dissertation, or thesis, conducting a thorough literature review is essential. This process involves finding and reading relevant journal articles to understand the current state of research, and to identify gaps in your knowledge or in your research field. This reason is most relevant to postgraduate research students, such as those pursuing a PhD, who are required to make original contributions to their field.
By understanding these reasons for finding specific journal articles and how they relate to your level of study, you'll be better equipped to approach your research effectively and efficiently throughout your academic journey.
Have questions need assistance?
If you have any questions or need more help with the information or services on this page, please don't hesitate to contact us at library@abertay.ac.uk. We're here to help!
Last modified by Library Services