Section 2: Finding Scholarly Articles

Library Databases

A database is a collection of organized information. Examples of library databases are the library catalog and article databases. Article databases allow you to search hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of journals, magazines, and newspapers at once. Some article databases provide you the full text of an article and others point you to an article by providing it's citation information. The articles you find in databases can be longer in length and scholarly (research articles and reports), or somewhat shorter (news or magazine articles).

How do databases help in research?

You will likely be asked by your professors to find credible information when given research assignments in their classes. Some professors may also ask you to find scholarly or 'peer reviewed' information. Library databases will help you find the information required by your professors.

It is important to note that the majority of the information you find in library databases cannot be found on Google for free. Scholarly journals are expensive. The SFCC Library subscribes to scholarly journals and article databases so that you can access this information for free.

Library databases also give you more power over your searches and allow you to be more strategic. For example many databases will allow you to narrow your search down to particular types of articles (for example: scholarly or news), date, subject, etc. These options can refine your searches and retrieve more relevant results.

Can I use the same database to find all types of content?

Not all databases are the same. Some have full text, some only have citations; some include many subjects and material formats (e.g. newspaper or magazine articles), some cover only one subject or only contain scholarly articles. General Databases like Academic Search Complete cover a variety of subject areas and include many types of content. Subject-specific Databases are usually limited to one subject such as psychology or education. You may need to search in more than one database depending on your research topic.

Scholarly Articles

Your assignment specifically requires you to locate a scholarly article, so we are going to quickly review what a scholarly article is. Watch the video for a brief overview and synopsis.

Video: What is a Scholarly Article

A scholarly article presents the results of a specific study, not a general summary of your topic. Its purpose is to address a specific research question. This assignment aims to help you get familiar with academic research, so look for studies related to your topic rather than explanations of the topic itself.

Scholarly articles can be more difficult to read due to their academic language and detailed research focus. Therefore, I highly recommend watching the following video on how to effectively read a scholarly article. This will help you navigate and understand the content more efficiently.

Video: How to Read a Scholarly Article

How to Search a Database for Scholarly Articles

Searching in a library database is different from searching on Google and requires specific skills and strategies, such as using targeted keywords for more effective results. Watch the following video to learn how to search the database effectively.

Video: Developing Keywords & Database Searching

Remember that your research topics are a little different from the example video:

"How Humans Learn/Learning How to Learn"
“Thinking about Self-growth/Self-discovery”

Where to Access & Sign-In to SFCC Library Databases

You can access the databases on the SFCC Library A-Z Database website Links to an external site.. You'll have to select a database and sign-in (see below).

Databases and their content is not available on the free internet. If you are off-campus, you'll be required to login using your bigfoot username and password Links to an external site.. Links to an external site.

Username: first name first initial of last name last 4 numbers of your student ID followed by @bigfoot.spokane.edu
(ex. JohnD3443@bigfoot.spokane.edu)

Password: same password you use to log into a campus computer, connect to campus WIFI or access your school email

If you have any login problems, contact the IT Help Desk at 509-533-4357.

Your Turn: Search for a Scholarly Article in a Database

It's your turn to take a moment and brainstorm keywords (search terms) for your assignment.

Remember, don't use "stop words" like a, an, in, the, of which or anything that starts to make your search terms a sentence. Keep with the main concepts of what you are researching.

These are just a few keyword examples, take a moment and brainstorm at least 5-7 of your own and then search the databases (recommend - Academic Search Complete Links to an external site., ProQuest, Links to an external site. Associates Programs Source Plus Links to an external site.) to find an scholarly article for your research project.

Here is a printable/viewable document with search tips: Database Search Techniques.pdf Download Database Search Techniques.pdf