When you need to find journal or magazine articles on a particular topic, start with a periodical index in electronic format, i.e., a library research database.

1.  Begin by selecting Databases A-Z in the left navigation menu of the library website, and then click on the name of a desired database (the info links will provide more information about a particular database). A broad-based, academically oriented database like Academic Search Complete is a good choice, but be aware that databases that focus on a particular subject (such as ERIC for education or PsycINFO for psychology) may offer more in-depth coverage and more sophisticated, discipline-specific subject terminology and search options. To find databases recommended for different subjects, choose Databases by Subject in the left navigation menu. 

2.  Think of keywords, short phrases, or possible subject terms that are appropriate for your topic (if provided, you may want to check the database's thesaurus or subject terms list). 

3.  Create a search strategy using Boolean operators (especially OR, AND) and possibly truncation or wildcard operators (*):

• advertising or advertisements or marketing
• consumer spending and teenagers
• advertis* and (teen* or adolescen* or youth) and (tobacco or smoking or cigarette*)

4.  Your search will retrieve records that matched your terms, such as this article citation from Academic Search Complete.

5.  This example includes the complete article in PDF full text, but if it did not, look for an Article Linker button or a Check for possible full text  link, or search the name of the journal (i.e., Journal of Research on Adolescence) in UHCL Electronic Journals List to see whether Neumann Library has full text through a different database or directly from the publisher. To see whether Neumann Library owns the journal and has the specific issue needed (Vol. 11, Issue 4, Dec. 2001) in paper copy or microfilm, perform a journal title search in the Library Catalog.  If needed, see document delivery options available through Interlibrary Loan service.

For more information about how to search, including use of operators and wildcards, see the Search Strategy tab above. For more detailed help on searching specific databases, see how-to guides, including Keys to Finding What You Need in Library Research Databases (guide).