Searching the library's databases

Use library databases to find scholarly articles for your research. Linked below are some databases that should be helpful for your topic.

Search Tips & Tricks

Enter keywords that capture the key ideas you are learning about.

• Look for and use relevant Subject Terms.
• Limit to Scholarly Peer Reviewed Journals for scholarly research.

Sample keyword search:

(click on image to enlarge)

Why Use Scholarly Literature? 

Scholarly literature advances our knowledge in a field of study.

Features of journals

• written by scholars and subject experts
• written for other scholars and also read by student researchers
• dedicated to a specific discipline, like sociology, history, women's studies, etc.
• offer original research or analysis – or may provide a review of existing research
• long articles, often 5-15 pages or more, engage with issues at a more substantial level than magazine articles
• articles almost always include an extensive list of sources at the end (Works Cited, References, Sources, or Bibliography) and comprehensive in-text citations for all claims made in the body of the article
• published by organizations or associations to advance the body of knowledge

Content adapted from IRIS tutorial, Clark College Library

More info?

Linked below is a guide meant to help you understand scholarly sources. The guide presents more information on what scholarly journals are, how to identify and search for them, and just what "peer-reviewed" really means.