How to find Journal Articles
Engineering Research Guide : COAST : Electronic Resources : Site Index : Help

• The Library pays $$$$$$ for databases and electronic access to journals. 
• Most of these resources are NOT AVAILABLE FOR FREE on the Internet.  You will NOT find these journal articles using search engines such as Google or Yahoo.
• Check Glossary of Library Terms.

How to search for journal articles
1.) Select a database
--The databases are listed by title or by topic.  Select Engineering.
--Click on about to see what subjects are covered by a database.  
 
2.) Search the database
--Databases can be searched by keyword, title, author.  Each database has limits you can add to your search.  Use Boolean Operators (AND, OR, NOT) to create your search
--Enter your keywords or search terms in the search boxes. For example:

 
Hint: Use or to combine similar terms.
Use and to combine different terms.

Hint: Use truncation by adding * after the root of the word.
Hint: Check the instructions or help page for each specific database.

3.) Evaluate Results
--Databases give you citations and abstracts (summaries).  Use this information to find the full text.
--Look at more than one page of results.  A good rule of thumb is to look at 30-50 citations and select the best.
--Do you need a peer-reviewed or scholarly article?


Tip: Use the citation information (author, article title, journal title, volume number, issue number, year, and pages) to find the full text of the article.

4.) Find the Full Text of the Article
a.) If the article is available electronically full text in the database click on the link in the citation to get Full Text, (PDF Full Text or HTML Full Text).

b.) If the article is not available in the database click SFX to find the full text of the article. (If no SFX button use COAST, journals to search manually.)

-->If the SFX box says Full text available via... clink the link. Check availability and the year of your citation to make sure it is available.

-->If the SFX box says Check for holdings in COAST, the CSULB Library Catalog then we should have the item in print. Click on the link, find the location (based on the year of your citation).  Copy down the call number and your citation information and go find the article.

-->If the SFX box says An electronic full text version is not available at the CSULB Library (only) it means we do not have this journal.  To get this article log into Illiad with Library Password and request the article. Note: Generally you will receive article electronically in 5-10 days.

Glossary of Library Terms
What is a Database?
A database is a searchable file of information.  Most library databases contain citations or references (the basic information you need to find a journal article), abstracts (brief summary of an article), and some full-text (the text of the journal article). Databases will help you save time and find better results.  Search Engines are also examples of databases.

What are Boolean operators?
Boolean operators are AND, OR, NOT.  Using boolean operators to build your searches will get more precise and relevant results. Use nesting when building a search strategy.  Boolean operators are based on Boolean logic, created by British mathematician, George Boole (1815-1864).

Using AND narrows your search by retrieving only documents that have all of your search terms. Use to connect two or three different  concepts.
Example: Internet AND privacy
Example: Composites AND aircraft

Using OR expands your search by retrieving documents that have either of your search terms. Use to connect two or three similar concepts or synonyms or spellings.
Example: Internet OR World Wide Web
Example: University OR College
Example: sulfur OR sulphur

Using NOT limits your search by returning only your first search term.  It works well when there are multiple meanings of the same word or name.
Example: Saturn NOT car
Example: Java NOT Indonesia

Nesting is used when combing your search terms in one search box.  It is similar to nesting mathematical statements in algebra, so the calculations are done in the proper order.
Example: (hybrid OR electric) AND (Toyota OR Honda)
Example:  (vegetables OR produce) AND (process* OR packaging)

What is truncation?
Truncation expands your search by searching for different word endings like -s, -es, -ed, -ing.  The truncation symbol is usually an asterisk (*), but check the database instructions or search tips.
Example: comput* searches computer, computers, computation, computations, and computing.
Example: optic* searches optic, optics, optical, and opticals.

Why can't I search for articles using Google, Yahoo, etc.? 
At this time searching for journal articles can still be done most efficiently using databases.  The library (and libraries across the world) pay lots of money to buy these databases.  The database companies do not want their materials to be available for free so search engines such as Google or Yahoo do not spider or crawl through these proprietary databases. 

If you do find citations or references on research websites or in bibliographies, search COAST, journals using the journal title (not the article title) to find the full text (electronically or print).  Do not pay $$ for articles, always check the Library to find it for FREE in COAST or Illiad.

What is a peer reviewed or scholarly article?
A scholarly or peer reviewed article has gone through the editorial process.  The editorial process consists of a panel of experts (usually 3) reading through the article and concluding research was been done correctly and the information is accurate.  Scholarly articles usually are longer than 5 pages, have no advertisements, and have bibliographies at the end.  To find out if a journal is peer reviewed you can check their website for information about the editorial process or check a reference book such as Ulrich's Periodical Directory near the reference desk.

What is SFX?
SFX (Special Effects) is technology that allows you to find full text article more easily.  Simply click on the SFX button  to find out if CSULB has electronic access to the full text or the print copy of the article. 

Note: If a database does not have an SFX button you can manually search using COAST, journals.

What is Illiad?
Illiad is your way of requesting materials (books, journal articles, book chapters, conference proceedings, thesis or dissertations) that CSULB does not own for FREE.  Use our online form to request materials.  You will also use Illiad to access the materials once they arrive if they are in electronic format.  You will receive most of your requested materials in about 5 to 10 days.

How do I access the databases from home?
To access all of our electronic resources from off campus you need your campus ID number and Library Password.  To use the databases when you are off campus go to http://www.csulb.edu/library and click on Electronic Resources, then click on Find Articles.  Select Engineering, or the topic that is closest to the information you need to find.

What is the difference between PDF and HTML?
When accessing full text articles you may have the choice between PDF or HTML documents. Both contain the same text of the article.

A PDF is a picture of the print copy of the article.  You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access the article.  This format works well when you are printing the article or want to see graphs or images in the article.  PDFs include the page numbers, so are easier to cite in your bibliography or cited works page.  Also graphs and images are included. 

An HTML document has been formatted for the computer. You do not need special software to read the article.  This format works well when you are reading the article online.  The article may contains links to other parts of the document.  Graphs or images may or may not be accessible.