How do I find scholarly articles in my subject area?
I can't find scholarly articles related to my research topic using the tools on the library's homepage or Google Scholar. I'm getting either tons of irrelevant papers or nothing at all. How do I find articles specifically related to my subject area?
Answer
Finding scholarly articles or research papers in your specific subject area is different from finding general scholarly articles for your 100- or 200-level electives. Most advanced journals, especially in the fields of study emphasized by Illinois Tech (science, engineering, architecture, psychology, business, and law), are not findable in general-purpose research databases—they can only be found using specialized, subject-specific research databases. Also, every specialized database has its own unique search tools that leverage the terminology of the subject area, making it easier to zoom in on exactly what you need, rather than wading through hundreds or thousands of meaningless results.
Use the following link to find advanced, subject-specific research databases in your area.
For tips and tricks on using research databases, as well as information on how they work, take a look at our Research Guide on Going Beyond Google.
For more information or additional help, contact the library or your subject librarian.