1. To find an article on a topic, you should start with a periodical index that covers your subject. Start by visiting the main Indexes and Databases page under Find Articles. DO NOT go to the Library Catalog. You cannot find articles using the Library Catalog.

2. The indexes are listed alphabetically as well as by subject. If you are unsure which indexes or databases to try, begin by browsing the By Subject section. Select an index that covers publications in your subject area.

3. Once you have selected an index, enter keywords into the search box. You may need to use multiple keywords and/or synonyms. For information about entering terms and combining searches, and other database features, check out the link to HELP, or ask a reference librarian for assistance.

4. When you enter search terms, the index will retrieve a list of citations to articles on your topic. These "citations" display the author and title of the article, and the title, volume, date and page number of the magazine or journal in which the article appeared. Sometimes, an "abstract", or summary, of the article is also provided.

5. Once you identify articles that you want to read, the next step is to locate the actual article. In some cases the full-text of the article will be available on-line from the index you are using or through the ^* button. However, some of our periodical indexes do not include the full text of the articles they cover. To find these articles, you will need to note the full citation information, including:
   
   

   VERY IMPORTANT	The Journal title
   VERY IMPORTANT	The date of publication
   IMPORTANT	The article title
   IMPORTANT	The author
   IMPORTANT	The volume number, issue number, and pages

   
   

   With this information, you can go to the Library Catalog to find out if any of the Rutgers libraries have the journal that you are looking for. For more information, please read How do I get my article? or How do I know if RU has a particular journal?

6. If you are a Rutgers University student, staff, or faculty member and the Rutgers University Libraries:
   • have the title and volume you need, but not in electronic format, you may order an electronic copy via the article delivery component of the Interlibrary Loan and Article Delivery Services option.
   • do not have the title and volume you need, you may order it via the interlibrary loan component of the Interlibrary Loan and Article Delivery Services option. For help with interlibrary loan, please read How do I order an interlibrary loan?
   For more information on article delivery and interlibrary loan, please read the Interlibrary Loan and Article Delivery Services FAQ.

^* Before February 2010, the button looked like this.

Some vendors may still display this button.