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.
- If the full text of an article is not available within a database, try one of these three ways to figure out if the library has the journal or call the Research Help Desk at 405-325-4142 for assistance.
- What if you tried those three things and 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.
- If you are interested in browsing a list of LIS journals, see this page.
Subject Specific Databases
- Communication Source (Ebsco)Communication, linguistics, rhetoric and discourse, speech-language pathology, media studies. References to or full text of journal and magazine articles, books, and book reviews.
- ERIC (Education; Ebsco)Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. References to or full text of journal articles and research reports, which are generally not peer reviewed (ERIC Documents).
NOTE: Note: The Department of Education is working with the Department of Government Efficiency to "reduce overall spending" and "reallocate spending to promote efficiency" (EO14222). As a result, the number of records added to the ERIC collection will be significantly reduced from approximately 1,200 to 700 (roughly 45%) by April 25, 2025. All records currently in ERIC will remain. Indexed journals confirmed to be removed are being added to this list. The Libraries has subscriptions to other resources that provide scholarly sources about education, including Education Full Text and Professional Development Collection. - Professional Development Collection (Ebsco)Education and related fields. References or links to the full text of academic journal articles and professional periodical articles.
- ProQuest One Business (formerly ABI/INFORM)Focus is on business and management topics, but includes many other subjects as well. References to or full text of journal, magazine, and newspaper articles, books, videos, company reports, and more.
- PsycINFO (Proquest)Psychology and related disciplines in the behavioral sciences. References to or full text of journal articles, books, dissertations, and more.
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 AuthorExamines the lives and works of authors and illustrators for children and young adults. This series spotlights more than 12,000 individuals in entries that typically cover personal life, career, writings, adaptations, and additional sources.
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. Ceased publication as a subscription-based product in 2022.
Essential Databases for LIS
These are the major databases for finding journal articles in LIS.
See also databases for these areas:
Computer Science | Other Subjects | Multidisciplinary | Specialized LIS Databases
Computer Science | Other Subjects | Multidisciplinary | Specialized LIS Databases
- Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts (LISTA; Ebsco)Information science literature and related disciplines, including librarianship, classification, cataloging, bibliometrics, online information retrieval, information management and more. References to or full text of journal and magazine articles, books, research reports, and proceedings.
- Library Literature & Information Science (Ebsco )Library and information science, knowledge management, technology and information issues. References to or full text of journal and magazine articles, books, conference proceedings, theses, and book reviews.
- Library Literature & Information Science Retrospective (1905-1983; Ebsco)The archive of the database listed above.
Computer Science Databases
- ACM Digital LibraryComputer science. From the Association for Computing Machinery and affiliated organizations.
- IEEE ExploreCoverage includes the field of information technology. From IEEE, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
Multidisciplinary Databases
- Academic Search Complete (Ebsco)Multidisciplinary database. References to or full text of journal and magazine articles, major newspaper articles, book reviews, and more.
- Google ScholarSearch 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.
Note: You will need to use the "Library Links" feature to indicate that you are affiliated with OU: Click on the three horizontal lines in the upper left-hand corner > Choose "Settings" at the bottom of the list > Choose "Library Links" from the list > In the search bar, type "University of Oklahoma" > Check the boxes next to both University of Oklahoma Libraries entries (Open Worldcat is selected by default and can remain checked)> Save your settings. - JSTORIncludes the full text and complete archives of core scholarly journals in many disciplines, some dating from the 1600s. Current issues may not be available.
- ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global (was Dissertation Abstracts)Millions of searchable citations to dissertations and theses from 1861 to the present day together with over a million full-text dissertations that are available for download in PDF format. Includes UK & Ireland content.
NOTE: Many universities have started archiving dissertations locally rather than through this database. Try a search in Worldcat, note the name of the institution where the dissertation was written, and go to that institution's catalog to see if a copy is in a local repository.
Most OU dissertations are full text through summer 2013; after that date, find OU dissertations in SHAREOK. - Web of Science (Clarivate)Multidisciplinary database. Includes a "cited reference" search. (A type of search that allows you to find articles that cite a previously published work.)