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Steps of Research: Step 4: Finding Articles

Databases

For a complete list of databases, subscribed to by the library, go to the Databases tab in the Library search box. You can search for databases by name or by subject.

For a short description of what kind of information you can find in the different databases, check out the details on our website.

How to Search the Databases

If you want to learn how to be more effective and efficient in searching the databases, check out the Tutorials page on the Library website.

Finding Electronic Peer-Reviewed Journals or Periodicals

If you are searching for a specific electronic journal or a periodical (magazine or newspaper) you can use the second tab of the search box, i.e. One Search (EDS). This platform uses a type of software that creates searches in all our databases simultaneously and allows you to look by title or subject. 

Whether you need to use only peer-reviewed journal articles (also called academic or scholarly articles) or if you can use popular sources such as magazines and newspapers depends on your class assignment instructions and your professor. Please consult with your course professor if you have any questions about which resources are acceptable for an assignment. 

Normally, peer-reviewed journal articles are the gold standard for research. However, there may be times when high-quality periodicals are acceptable for your research. For example, your professor might say it is fine to use an article from the Economist to discuss a recent development or trend. 

For more information on peer-reviewed journal articles vs. periodicals and conducting searches for articles in these resources, please watch the video below created by Central Michigan University Library. 

Print Peer-Reviewed Journals and Periodicals

You can search Panitza Library Catalog for a specific print peer-reviewed journal or periodical title.