HOW DO I FIND SPECIFIC ARTICLES ON A TOPIC

---

HOW DO I FIND SPECIFIC ARTICLES ON A TOPIC?

Once a topic is defined, the process of finding articles about it begins by selecting the periodical index that is appropriate for the topic. Periodical indexes are designed to help you find articles on your topic in journals, magazines, and newspapers. Most periodical indexes are available via computer. These databases are arranged by subject on the Library Web Page under “Subject List of Indexes and Databases.”

The reference staff can help conduct a search. There are databases for each of the different fields of study, some covering a specific discipline, and others covering general topics. For instance, for religious studies there is ATLA Religion Index, for psychology there is PsycInfo, for education there is ERIC, and for business there is ABI Inform Global. National Newspapers is used for searching for articles on contemporary issues and current events. Some databases are multidisciplinary, such as Academic Search Elite and Women’s Resources International.

HOW DO I KNOW IF OUR LIBRARY HAS A CERTAIN PUBLICATION?

Check SIMON using Journal Title to see

• if we have the title of the periodical
• if we own the particular volume you need
• what format it is in and its location (current issues, bound, microform, or electronic full text)

The Library has over 1,500 print and approximately 15,000 electronic journal titles available to patrons with a total of approximately 16,000 unique titles. Many titles are only available in electronic format.

ELECTRONIC FULL TEXT

Journal title searches in SIMON will lead to electronic journals as well as print journals. Hypertext links in SIMON appear that will take you to either the e-journal or the aggregator database that carries the full text. Some databases link you directly to the journal or article in the case of electronic full text or to SIMON in the case of print journals.

CURRENT PERIODICALS

Periodicals for the current year are near Circulation Services and are shelved in title order. The most current issue is stored atop the slanted shelf. Earlier issues are stored beneath the slanted shelf until bound or microfilmed. There are certain titles that are kept at Circulation Services and not placed on the current shelves because they are so heavily used. The shelf label for those titles will direct you to the desk.

BOUND PERIODICALS

Many periodicals are bound at the conclusion of the publishing year. These are located on the second floor in the front of the building.

NEWSPAPERS

The daily newspapers are kept in the newspaper shelves next to Reference Services. There are five titles that are kept behind Circulation Services for a week before being placed in the newspaper area: The New York Times, Syracuse Post-Standard, and the Wall Street Journal. Newspapers are retained in the newspaper area until microfilm or electronic text arrives, or until discarded.

MICROFORM

Newspapers and journals that are on microfiche or microfilm are kept in cabinets near the microcomputers. Photocopies may be made on the self-service microform copiers with copy cards.

WHEN THE ISSUE NEEDED IS NOT ON THE SHELF

Ask for help at one of the service desks. Searches for periodicals can be requested at the Circulation Services Desk. It may be that the Library has the electronic version as well as the print. If the Library does not own the issue you want, an interlibrary loan request may be placed at Reference Services. See the Library Guide INTERLIBRARY SERVICES.

CIRCULATION OF SERIALS

Print periodicals do not circulate outside the library with the exception of Le Moyne faculty and staff who may check out periodicals, except current newspapers and current popular periodicals, for three days. Only a reference librarian grants special permission to others.

ARTICLE CITATIONS

The styles and formats of bibliographic citations vary among publishers and database producers.

The essential elements of an article citation are:

• author
• title of the article
• journal title
• volume number
• issue date and/or number
• page numbers