Why Use A Database?
Search a database to find journal, magazine, or newspaper articles. Some databases also provide access to other materials such as dissertations, book chapters, books, datasets, sound recordings, videos, etc.
- Some databases have the full text of articles. If not, follow these instructions to figure out if the library has the journal, or call the Research Help Desk at 405-325-4142 for assistance.
- What if the library does not have a journal article that you need? We can still get it for you via our interlibrary loan service. It's free! And articles often come electronically within a few days. For more information see the interlibrary loan page.
- If you are interested in browsing a list of LIS journals, see this page.
What is the Difference Between a Popular and Scholarly Source?
If you are not familiar with scholarly publications, it can be difficult to tell the difference between scholarly and popular periodicals. There are no definitive rules for distinguishing between the two, but here are some guidelines:
Scholarly (e.g., academic journals):
- Are written by professionals within an academic field or discipline.
- Contain research projects, methodology, and theory.
- Have few, if any, advertisements.
- Use college-level or specialized vocabulary of the discipline.
- Include articles with extensive bibliographies, footnotes, or other documentation.
- Graphics are often tables, charts, and diagrams.
- Are peer-reviewed or refereed.
- A simple explanation of peer review: other scholars in the field have evaluated a work. Check a journal's website to see what it says about the peer review or referee process. See this page, for example.
- NOTE: Even though many databases allow you to limit by peer review, it's not a guarantee that every article so limited will actually be a peer reviewed research article. Peer reviewed journals also contain non peer reviewed content such as book reviews and editorials.
Popular (e.g., magazines, newspapers):
- Are written by journalists.
- Contain general news articles written to inform, update, or introduce a new issue.
- Have many full-color, full-page advertisements.
- Use a general, non-technical vocabulary.
- Include articles with little or no documentation.
- Graphics are often full-color pictures and illustrations.
Subject Specific Databases
- ABI/INFORM Complete (now called ProQuest One Business)Focus is on business and management topics, but includes many other subjects as well. Full text and references to journal and magazine articles.
- Communication SourceFull-text, scholarly articles for communication, linguistics, rhetoric and discourse, speech-language pathology and media studies.
- ERIC (Education, 1966- )An online library of education research, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. Materials indexed include journal articles and research reports (ERIC Documents). Some full text available.
- Professional Development Collection (Education; 1965- )Indexes literature in education and related fields. Materials indexed include academic journals and professional periodicals. Some full text available.
- PsycINFOPsycINFO is the comprehensive index for Psychology and related subjects.
Library and Information Studies
These two databases are hosted by EBSCO. Search them at the same time by clicking "choose databases" once you are in either one of them, and then select the other database from the list.
- Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts (LISTA; mid 1960s- )Provides access to citations in the information science literature and related disciplines. Indexes more than 600 periodicals as well as books, research reports, and proceedings. Subject coverage includes librarianship, classification, cataloging, bibliometrics, online information retrieval, information management and more.
- Library Literature & Information Science (1984- )Provides information relating to library and information science, knowledge management, technology and information issues. Materials indexed include journal articles, books, conference proceedings, theses and book reviews. Some full text available.
Computer Science
- ACM Digital LibraryPublications in computer science. From the Association for Computing Machinery and affiliated organizations.
- IEEE ExploreIncludes publications in the field of information technology. From IEEE, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
- Web of ScienceMultidisciplinary index covering topics in the sciences, social sciences and humanities. It is the electronic equivalent of the Arts & Humanities Citation Index, Social Sciences Citation Index, and Science Citation Index. Some full text available.
Multidisciplinary Databases
- Academic Search CompleteMultidisciplinary database covering social sciences, humanities, education, physical and life sciences, and ethnic studies.
- Dissertation Abstracts (aka ProQuest Dissertations & Theses)References to U.S. doctoral dissertations completed at accredited institutions since 1861 (abstracts since 1980) and dissertations and theses, most with abstracts, from the U.K. and Ireland since 1716. Many dissertations 1997 to 2010s, are full text. PLEASE NOTE: Many universities have started archiving dissertations locally rather than through this database. Try a Google search on the topic or author to see if you can locate the dissertation.
Find most OU dissertations full text through summer 2013; after that date, find OU dissertations in SHAREOK. - Google ScholarGoogle Scholar enables you to search specifically for scholarly literature, including peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, preprints, abstracts and technical reports from all broad areas of research. Use Google Scholar to find articles from a wide variety of academic publishers, professional societies, preprint repositories and universities, as well as scholarly articles available across the web. When off campus, be sure to access Google Scholar settings > library links > type in University of Oklahoma.
- JSTORProvides access to materials in many disciplines. It is a digitized archive of the backfiles of selected scholarly journals. Full text available.
Specialized Databases
These databases are not for finding journal articles. They provide specialized information that various types of librarians frequently use.
Book and Serial Directories and Information
- Books In PrintProvides extensive bibliographic, format and cost information, as well as information on reviews, awards, and synopses for millions of titles.
- UlrichswebProvides detailed information on serials published throughout the world.
Children's Librarianship
- Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)Over 500,000 reviews and related information about children's literature.
- Something About The Author OnlineExamines the lives and works of authors and illustrators for children and young adults and is the preeminent source on authors and literature for young people.
Classification
- Library of Congress Classification WebWeb access to the Library of Congress classification schedules and the Library of Congress Subject Headings.
Technology
- Library Technology ReportsHelps librarians make informed decisions about technology projects and purchases. Reports may address the application of technology to library services, offer evaluative descriptions of specific products or product classes, or cover emerging technology.