Expectations In Research
What do you expect to find when you start your research? If you think there's a perfect source or two out there that exactly matches your research question you're most likely mistaken. This video can help provide you with some perspective on what you'll find in your research and what to do when you don't find exactly what you're looking for.
Understanding Databases
Databases are organized collection of information. They are most often used to find journals and other periodical literature which are usually the best sources for an academic research paper. Before using a database let's get a good understanding of how they work and how to find solid resources using one.
Databases & Search Techniques
- Searching Databases (Video)Different search techniques you can use in databases like using keywords & synonyms, limiting by scholarly publication & date, phrase searching, using AND & OR, and making use of the Advanced Search feature.
Library Databases
These databases can be used by students and faculty in any subject area. They contain information on a wide variety of topics!
- Academic OneFile (Gale) This link opens in a new window
Explore a comprehensive database of premier periodical resource on multidisciplinary subjects. Gale Academic OneFile, provides millions of articles from over 17,000 scholarly journals and other authoritative sources—including thousands of podcasts and transcripts from NPR and CNN as well as videos from BBC Worldwide Learning.
NOTE: Access limited by IP to users located in Tennessee.
Resource provided by Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL).
- JSTOR This link opens in a new window
JSTOR is an online library of journals, academic ebooks, images, and primary sources. JSTOR helps you explore a wide range of scholarly content with additional research tools and features. As of 8/1/2024, ArtSTOR is now included in JSTOR.
- Opposing Viewpoints (Gale in Context) This link opens in a new window
Research portal on current social topics with a variety of resources that support differing views. Resources include viewpoint essays, articles, primary materials, statistics, and multimedia resources. Helps students develop critical thinking skills.
NOTE: Access limited by IP to users located in Tennessee.
Resource provided by Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL). - ProQuest Research Library This link opens in a new window
General interest and multidisciplinary periodical database, including scholarly journals, trade journals and magazines.
These are some of the most used subject databases.
- Agriculture (Gale OneFile) This link opens in a new window
Current and authoritative periodical content (Journals, magazines, books, and multimedia) covering agriculture and its related fields.
NOTE: Access limited by IP to users located in Tennessee.
Resource provided by Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL).
- APA PsycARTICLES This link opens in a new window
Delve into the science of psychology and behavior with APA PsycArticles. The database of full-text peer-reviewed articles is published by the American Psychological Association (APA) and affiliated journals.
- Art Full Text (HW Wilson) This link opens in a new window
Journals and magazines on art topics.
EBSCOhost database collection. Part of OmniFile
- Business: Insights (Gale) This link opens in a new window
Research global companies and industries with in-depth analysis through current news, statistical data, and comprehensive reports. Explore expert analysis such as SWOT analyses, financial statements, case studies, and articles from academic journals, trade magazines, news outlets, and more.
NOTE: Access limited by IP to users located in Tennessee.
Resource provided by Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL). - CINAHL Complete This link opens in a new window
Nursing and Allied Health research reference database with books/monographs and journals.
EBSCOhost database collection
- Communications and Mass Media (Gale OneFile) This link opens in a new window
Search respected journals and magazines for articles covering all aspects of communication fields, including advertising, public relations, literature and writing, linguistics, and more.
NOTE: Access limited by IP to users located in Tennessee.
Resource provided by Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL).
- Criminal Justice (Gale OneFile) This link opens in a new window
Comprehensive periodical content for researchers studying law, law enforcement, forensic science, terrorism, and more.
NOTE: Access limited by IP to users located in Tennessee.
Resource provided by Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL).
- Education Full Text (HW Wilson) This link opens in a new window
Journals on special education, adult education, continuing education, literacy standards, teaching methods and other education topics
EBSCOhost database collection. Part of OmniFile
- General Science Full Text (H.W. Wilson) This link opens in a new window
Journals and magazines on astronomy, biology, botany, chemistry, conservation, health & medicine, oceanography, physics, and zoology topics;
EBSCOhost database collection. Part of OmniFIle
- Issues & Controversies in History This link opens in a new window
Collection of reference articles and primary documents on major historical issues and conflicts. Browse by eras s in World and U.S. history or by regions.
- Literature Online This link opens in a new window
English and American literature resources. Online library of poetry, drama and prose, full-text literature journals, and other key criticism and reference resources.
- PubMed Central This link opens in a new window
PubMed Central® (PMC) is a free, open access, full-text archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature at the U.S. National Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine (NIH/NLM)
- Social Sciences Full Text (H.W. Wilson) This link opens in a new window
Journals and magazines in the Social Sciences.
EBSCOhost database collection. Part of OmniFile.
Other subject area databases can be found by using the Subject drop down menu from the A-Z Database list or by using one of the Library's research Guides.