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How to Choose and Use Databases

Search skills that help you find what you're looking for.

Find Full-Text

Link to Full-Text

The Access Option button (in EBSCO databases) will provide access to full-text.  You'll see one of several options:

     

  • PDF or Online Full Text take you directly to the full-text.
  • Looking for Full-Text. This potentially connects to the full-text in another database.   If it fails, it will...
    • Provide you with a Get It link to the interlibrary loan form, where you can request a copy from another library.

About Interlibrary Loan

Interlibrary Loan/Tipasa is a service--libraries borrowing from other libraries for you.  It is a simple service to use--it's found underneath the Looking for Full-Text Link, which is provided within most of our databases.  If the Looking for Full-Text? link fails to find full-text, it will provide you with a Get It link. 

Interlibrary Loan usually takes less than a week, sometimes less than a day.  And it's free!  Usually within 2-3 days you'll receive an email with a link to your article PDF.

Print, Download, Email

Most databases offer the option of printing, downloading, or emailing your results.

  • Select items of interest by checking the boxes next to the citations.
  • Once you have selected all your items, click on the print, email, or download option and follow the on-screen directions.

A few databases require you to first save items to a folder or bookbag. Then you can print or email the folder/bookbag's content.

Citation Management Software

If you're using a program like Zotero to manage your citations, many databases allow you to export directly into your citation lists.