ENGL U101 - Composition Asynchronous: Databases & Finding Articles

This page describes just what is a database and how they are used to find articles.  There are videos that help you navigate the Library Webpage to use the databases.  Blah blah more about how and when to use these

🔍 How to Search Databases for Scholarly Articles

When you're starting your research, finding scholarly articles can feel overwhelming. But with the right tools and a bit of guidance, it becomes much easier. Here's how to get started:

🎥 Two Helpful Videos

1. Using Search Up – This video shows how to use our library’s all-in-one search engine to find articles, books, journals, videos, and more.
2. Using Academic Search Ultimate – This video focuses on a specific database that’s great for beginners and shows how to use its features effectively.

💡 Tip from Laura Karas, Senior Instructor Librarian:
While Search Up is powerful, it can return too much—books, videos, journals, and more. For new researchers, I recommend starting with a focused database like Academic Search Ultimate. It’s easier to manage and helps you learn how to use filters and search tools effectively.

🧭 Step-by-Step: Searching in Academic Search Ultimate

1. Access the Database

   • Go to the library’s website.
   • Find the Databases A-Z list.
   • Select Academic Search Ultimate.

2. Start with a Simple Search

   • Enter a few keywords related to your topic.
   • Example: climate change AND agriculture

3. Use Filters to Refine Your Results

   • Check the box for Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) Journals.
   • Limit by Date to get recent research.
   • Use Subject Terms to narrow your focus.

4. Explore the Bells and Whistles

   • Use the Abstract to preview the article.
   • Click Cite to get a citation in APA, MLA, or Chicago style.
   • Save articles to your folder or email them to yourself.

🧠 Why Start with Academic Search Ultimate?

• It’s broad enough to cover many topics.
• It teaches you how to use filters, Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT), and subject headings.
• It’s less overwhelming than an all-in-one search tool.

Once you're comfortable, you can explore other databases or use Search Up for more comprehensive searches.