Embedded Files
Biologists publish the results from their experiments so that they can reach a broader audience. One way that scientists share their work is by publishing articles in research journals. Other scientists read research articles to learn about recent discoveries and to help inspire their work.
Initially research journals were only available as printed volumes and issues that contained several different articles compiled together. Now, rather than pull the printed journal off the library shelf, we can use online data bases and scholarly websites to find articles.
The articles we find online still have the information about where to find them in their printed form (Journal title, volume, page numbers), and we need to report that in our writing (See Citing Journal Articles for more information).
Using Google Scholar to find Full-Text Journal Article PDFs
Using Google Scholar to find Full-Text Journal Article PDFs
We can use Google Scholar to find journal articles online. Google Scholar will provide many great results, but only some of them will provide access to a full-text article PDF that you can download and read.
To access Google Scholar, follow this link: scholar.google.com. Helpful tips for using Google Scholar can be found below!
Google Scholar:
Google Scholar:
1. Search Terms
1. Search Terms
Go to the website scholar.google.com.
Enter some relevant search terms in the field and click the magnifying glass icon to search!
Note: Choosing the correct search terms is a delicate balance: You want to be specific enough to narrow down the articles, but not so specific that the database can't find something relevant for you!
Google Scholar
Google Scholar
2. Article Listing
2. Article Listing
Scroll through the list of articles relevant to your search terms to see if any seem relevant to your experiment AND they say [PDF] next to the result.
If none of the articles listed are relevant OR if none of the articles have [PDF] access, go back to 'Step 1. Search Terms'
If you see an article that looks good AND has [PDF] access , go to 'Step 3'!
Google Scholar:
Google Scholar:
3. Click to get the article [PDF]
3. Click to get the article [PDF]
There are two ways to explore the article
Click on the title to open the Abstract (a summary of the article) and then find the place to obtain the PDF
Click on the [PDF] link on the search page to open the PDF
Google Scholar:
Google Scholar:
4. Full-text Article PDF
4. Full-text Article PDF
The article in full-text PDF format should open. You can click on the download icon (a downward-pointing arrow) to save a copy of the PDF to your computer.
Using Web of Science Electronic Database to find Full-Text Journal Article PDFs
Using Web of Science Electronic Database to find Full-Text Journal Article PDFs
We can use internet databases to find journal articles online. The Salem State library pays for subscriptions to many databases that contain biology articles. Some of the databases are tailored to biology research articles. We will need to find full-text articles, meaning that you can download and read the entire article, not just the abstract.
We can use the SSU Berry Library A-Z Database link to find our full-text journal articles: https://libguides.salemstate.edu/az.php. Helpful tips for using the Web of Science database can be found below!
Web of Science:
Web of Science:
1. Search Terms
1. Search Terms
From https://libguides.salemstate.edu/az.php, choose Web of Science.
Enter some relevant search terms in the 'Topic' fields. and click search!
Note: Choosing the correct search terms is a delicate balance: You want to be specific enough to narrow down the articles, but not so specific that the database can't find something relevant for you!
Web of Science:
Web of Science:
2. Article Listing
2. Article Listing
Scroll through the list of articles relevant to your search terms to see if any seem relevant to your experiment
If none of the articles listed are relevant, go back to 'Step 1. Search Terms'
If you see an article that looks good, click on the title and go to 'Step 3'!
Web of Science:
Web of Science:
3. Article Abstract
3. Article Abstract
Skim the abstract for the article
If the abstract is not relevant or really difficult to understand, go back to 'Step 2. Article Listing'
If the abstract looks promising, go to 'Step 4'!
Web of Science:
Web of Science:
4. Full-text Article PDF
4. Full-text Article PDF
Find the article in full-text PDF format
Click the globe icon or
Click the lock icon or
Click the Google icon
Google Sites
Report abuse