Using databases

Although the library catalogue lists the names of journals it doesn't list all the individual journal articles. To find these you will need to use a database. In Humanities and Social Sciences there are many potentially useful databases; some of the most valuable are the multidisciplinary ones.

To find databases, from the library website home page you can:

use the quicklinks (left-hand side)
click on the Databases tab to view a list of general databases or subject specific ones
choose the Resource Guides from the Library's website and then find your subject or course to see the recommended databases
Click the Catalogue link and do a title search for the database.

If you are accessing a database from a computer that isn't on the Uof A network, such as a home computer, you will be prompted to enter your username and password.

Database checklist

These are some points to consider when using a database for the first time:

Does it use Boolean operators, where you combine search terms with AND, OR operators?
How do you truncate terms, search singular or plural forms of a word, or variant spellings, e.g. behavior/behaviour?
Is there a thesaurus which lists synonyms and related terms to use in your search?
How do you search for articles by a specific author or in a particular journal?
How do you display references or mark them for saving, printing, emailing or downloading to a citation manager such as EndNote?

Database tutorials

Most of the large databases have help options or interactive tutorials available. Here are links to some of the common ones used in humanities and social sciences: