Myoung Wilson Library and Information Science Librarian mywilson@rci.rutgers.edu July 18, 2007

Research Resources: Subject Research Guides: Library and Information Science Resources:
How to Find LIS Journal Articles^*

Step 1

To find library and information science (LIS) journal articles on a specific topic or to track down a citation (such as when you already have a specific author's name or the title of the article), it is best to begin by searching either one of the LIS-focused databases.These are Library Literature and Information Science, with about 100 full text journals available for searching, and Library and Information Science Abstract (LISA), which as of this writing still only contains citations with abstracts.

Please DO NOT search IRIS to find journal articles. You can only use IRIS to verify what journal titles are available and/or accessible either in print or in electronic format via the library system. If an electronic version of a journal is available, the IRIS record will indicate it as available "online" or via "electronic access", and give you an appropriate link.

Step 2

If you have a topic that requires articles outside the library and information science field or if you are unsure of which database(s) to search for your topic, try searchlight, which will search multiple databases all at once.

Step 3

Once you are connected to a database, you will have to enter keywords (or search terms) into the search box provided. Consider using multiple keywords and/or synonyms for better results. For information about entering terms, combining searches, or for other database features such as Advanced Searches, Thesauruses or Subject Index Terms, please check out the database HELP links or ask a reference librarian for assistance.

Step 4

Once you enter your search terms, the index (or database) will retrieve a list of article citations for you. These " bibliographic citations" display the author and title of the article, as well as the title, volume, date and page number of the journal (or magazine) in which the article appeared. Sometimes, an "abstract", or summary, of the article is also provided.

Step 5

Once you identify articles that you want to read, the next step is to locate the actual article. The Library Literature and Information Science Index will provide full-text versions of the articles from selected journals; icons marked either as a Full Text or a PDF file will indicate these. Some databases such as ERIC will provide a LinkSource icon that will connect you directly to the full text of the article if available, or to IRIS so you can check the availability of the journal in print. If you do not see a full text link, a PDF icon, or a LinkSource sign, open up another Internet browser window, connect to the Rutgers Libraries Homepage, and search IRIS using the Periodical Title function. If you need assistance with this, please ask a reference librarian for assistance.

Step 6

If the Libraries do not have the journal title and volume you need, you may order the article via interlibrary loan. Click here for an online Interlibrary loan request form with instructions on how to do so. The other option is to register with Ingenta and see whether or not you can order articles directly from this vendor.

Step 7

You will frequently need to consult sources and databases outside the LIS fields. For instance, if you are interested in the topic of digital libraries, ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore, or Current Cites are the databases you should search. If your interests are in library management issues, Business Source Review will be a useful source. If school libraries or media centers are your topic, you will need to search ERIC. Please consult the list of allied databases in this Guide or the general list of Indexes and Databases on the library homepage for additional information. If you need further assistance, please contact either the SCILS Liaison Librarian, Myoung C. Wilson, at mywilson@rci.rutgers.edu, or Ask a Librarian (Rutgers University Libraries).

Step 8

Saving your search results using RefWorks

While you are searching these databases, mark those items that will be useful for your research and export them to RefWorks, a Web-based citation management tool. You can basically build your own research database using RefWorks. Your final bibliography can also be formatted using the specific style sheet (such as APA or Chicago) required for a course or project. For more information, read the RefWorks FAQ or take the RefWorks tutorial.

* This text was adopted from the Rutgers University Libraries' "How do I find an article on my topic" Instruction Page.