The Ohio State University

Which do you need to do:

• How do I find out which database to use?
• How do I find an article once in a database?
• Is the article from a journal or a conference proceeding?
• How do I find articles from a journal?
• How do I find articles from a conference proceeding?
• Getting help with finding articles

How do I find out which database to use?

A Database List is available online. Choose a subject or type in the name of the database if you already know the one you want to use. You may also want to try the Multidatabase Search.

The most widely used databases for SEL subject areas are (click on the subject for a complete list of databases for that subject):

Astronomy:	NASA Astrophysics Data System
Chemistry:	SciFinder Scholar
Computer Science:	Compendex ACM Digital Library IEEEXplore Computers and Applied Sciences Complete
Engineering:	Compendex Metadex (Materials Science) IEEEXplore (Electrical Engineering)
Mathematics/Statistics:	MathSciNet
Physics:	INSPEC
General Science:	ISI Citation Databases (also known as Web of Science or Web of Knowledge) Computers and Applied Sciences Complete

How do I find an article once in a database?

If you are using a citation from within a research database, many of these have a Find It! button () that will take you to a link to access the article if available online.

If it is not available electronically, print options holdings at OSU will be shown. If electronic is not available, a link to get the article via Interlibrary Services is available. This link may also be used for document delivery of a print-only article. The request form will automatically fill out by using this link and signing in to your account.

You may also double check the journal title to see if the article is available electronically - the Fint It! button does occassionally miss some items.

If the database does not use this Find It! button, you will want to follow the directions to Find an article using a citation.

Is the article from a journal or a conference proceeding?

Which type of item are you trying to find?

• Journal
• Conference Proceeding

How do I find articles from a journal?

Follow the steps below for finding journals in the OSU Libraries:

1. Do a Journal Title Search using the title of the journal. Be sure to use the title of the journal and not the title of the article. The journal search will look for both print and electronic journals and will look something like this:
   
   
   
   
   • If your journal is abbreviated and you need help, here are some sources to use:
   • All that JAS: Journal Abbreviation Sources
   • List of common abbreviations
   • Periodical Title Abbreviations (print)
   
   
   
2. If your title is available electronically, you can go to the link for that journal. If you are accessing from off campus, you will need to click on the off-campus sign-in link at the top of the page before going to the journal's content. This is where the volume, year, and/or issue numbers come into play. You will need to go to the specific issue you need and find the article. If the content is not available, you can try other electronic options if they are available. Some journals have several electronic access options.



3. If your journal is not available electronically, look for print access. Look for the volume/year you need. You may need to click on a button below the list of volumes held to see if a campus library has the volume:
   
   You may go get the item from the shelf to copy yourself, request that circulating volumes be sent to another location (click on ), or request the item to be scanned and delivered electronically via Article Express.



4. Still can't find it? There are other options for Getting Help

How do I find articles from a conference proceeding?

If it is a conference paper, your search may be more complicated. Try a Title search in the catalog for the name of the conference proceeding (not the individual paper). However, conference titles are often tricky. Try the following in an Advanced Keyword Search:

• Put key terms from the proceedings title (not the title of the individual paper) in the first box and choose to search the Title.
• Put the term congresses in the second box and choose to search Subject.
• Do your search. If you get too many hits, try adding more terms or limit to appropriate years.

It would look something like this:



If OSU has the item:

• If the item is available electronically, you may need to browse the content until you have the needed article or paper. The volume/issue numbers will help with this. Once you have it, you can view it online. Many resources offer options such as printing, saving, or even emailing.



• If the item is available in print, you can go to the location where the item is housed to use it. If the item is at the Book Depository, you will need to choose to have it delivered to another library or even to your office/dorm. Deliveries from Ackerman and the Depository occur three times per day to SEL and the SUllivant and Ackerman Libraries. Many items at other locations may also be sent to another library location. Alternatively, you may ask for an article to be scanned for document delivery.



• Still can't find it? There are other options for Getting Help

Getting help with finding articles

Still can't find the article or are having problems? Here are some places to go for help:

• Ask us a question
• Request articles not online via Article Express
• Be sure to give as much information as possible, such as the full journal and article titles, ISSN, page numbers, volume and issue number, and year.
• Contact someone with subject expertise

Last updated: 25 June 2008

Please send any comments or suggestions to: SEL Page Master