Discover relevant articles on a specific topic to broaden your understanding, support your arguments, and stay current with the latest research in your field.
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How do I use LibrarySearch to find articles on a subject?
To search for articles on a topic or subject using LibrarySearch, follow these steps:
- Identify the main keywords or concepts related to your topic. For example, if you're researching the effects of social media on mental health, your keywords might be "social media," "mental health," and "effects."
- Enter your keywords into LibrarySearch and click the search button or press Enter.
- If your initial search yielded too many or too few relevant results, refer to the sections below on 'Refining your search' and 'Expanding your search' for strategies to optimize your search.
- When you find an article you want to investigate, either click on the title for more information or select "Download PDF". Alternatively, click "Check for online access" to view the article on the publisher's website.
- If you're not already logged into your university account, you'll be asked to do so at this point.
- PDFs can be downloaded and saved. Alternatively consider saving your results in LibrarySearch, or exporting them into reference management software.
Too many results? Refine your search
- Add more specific keywords to your search query. For example, instead of searching for "mental health," try searching for a specific condition like "depression" or "anxiety disorders."
- Use quotation marks around phrases to search for them exactly as written. For example: "social media".
- Use the 'Refine my Results' options to apply filters to narrow your search results. For example:
- Limit to peer-reviewed journals
- Limit to ‘articles’ in Content Type
- Specify a relevant publication date range, such as the last 5 or 10 years, to focus on more recent research.
- Try limiting to subject categories related to your topic.
- Use Boolean operator "NOT" to excludes certain terms from your search. Example: "social media" NOT Facebook.
Too few results? Expand your search
- Start by broadening your search query:
- Use fewer keywords or more general terms. For example, search for gender instead of women.
- Remove some of the filters you have applied, such as publication date range or subject categories.
- Use Boolean operator “OR” to broaden your search by combining synonymous terms. For example: depression OR anxiety.
- Look elsewhere:
- Try searching subject-specific databases relevant to your topic. Check your Subject Guide for recommendations.
- Expand your search to other academic search engines, such as Semantic Scholar or Google Scholar.
- Check the reference lists of the articles you have found. This can help you identify additional information on your topic.
If you can't find articles that exactly match your research question, look for articles that address different aspects of your topic. You can then synthesise information from multiple sources in your work.
If you're still struggling to find enough relevant articles, contact us via library.ac.uk; we can guide search strategies and recommend additional resources.
Why might I need to search for articles on a subject?
There are several reasons why you might need to search for journal articles on a specific topic or subject. Some of these reasons may be more relevant depending on your level of study, such as undergraduate, postgraduate taught, or postgraduate research:
- To prepare for class discussions or presentations (UG and PGT): your lecturers may assign specific topics or subjects for class discussions or presentations. Searching for relevant journal articles can help you prepare for these assignments and contribute meaningfully to the conversation.
- To provide background information (all levels, especially undergraduate): journal articles can help you build a solid foundation of knowledge on a topic or subject, giving you the necessary background information to better understand the area you're studying. This is particularly important for undergraduate students who may be encountering a subject for the first time.
- To support your arguments (all levels): when writing essays, assignments, research dissertations, or research papers you'll need to find journal articles that provide evidence to back up your claims and strengthen your arguments. This is important at all levels of study, but the depth and complexity of the articles you'll need to support your work will increase as you progress.
- To stay current in your field (all levels, especially postgraduate): regularly searching for and reading journal articles in your area of study helps you stay up-to-date with the latest research, theories, and developments in your field. This is important at all levels but is especially critical for postgraduate students who are expected to have a deep understanding of their subject area.
- To identify research gaps (postgraduate research): for postgraduate research students, such as those pursuing a PhD, reviewing the existing literature on a topic is crucial for identifying areas where further research is needed. This can help you develop original research questions and contribute new knowledge to your field.
- To satisfy your own curiosity (all levels): As you progress through your university studies, you may develop a deep interest in certain topics or subjects. Searching for and reading journal articles related to these interests can help satisfy your curiosity and expand your knowledge. This is relevant at all levels of study and can be a great way to explore potential areas for further study or research.
By understanding these reasons for searching for articles on a topic or subject 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.
Not feeling confident yet?
Don’t worry! Email library@abertay.ac.uk. We are here to help!
Last modified by Library Services