Articles

These databases have mostly scholarly articles:

• Academic Search Premier [make sure to select the box that says "Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) Journals"]
• JSTOR
• Sociological Abstracts
• Communication and Mass Media
• ScienceDirect
• CINAHL
• Wiley Online Library

The following databases have mostly popular press (mass media) articles:

• ProQuest Newsstand
• ProQuest News & Newspapers
• Factiva

See an article you want in one of these databases?

1. Click on the "Get it! @CSUSM" link
2. Look for "Full Text" in PDF or HTML format
3. If we don't own the full-text, simply fill out an Interlibrary Loan request. It's free for you to use and takes about 1 - 10 business days to arrive.
4. Any time you need help, reach out to the librarian listed on the right-hand side of this guide. You can also email libref@csusm.edu or try live chat during library hours.

Note: If you use Google Scholar, don't pay for articles from publisher websites! Find the full text for free through our library.

Search Strategies

Search strategies to get better results when searching a database:

1. Identify key concepts and synonyms
2. Use "quotes" around phrases
3. Use AND between different concepts
4. Use OR between similar concepts
5. Use an asterisk* to find word variations

Bonus: Use NOT to exclude concepts

Build your own search strategy (University of Arizona)