This document provides guidance on searching for academic journal articles using the electronic resources available through the John Rylands University Library. It outlines a 4-stage process for conducting an effective search: 1) identifying keywords, 2) selecting relevant databases, 3) searching databases using Boolean logic and limiters, and 4) downloading full-text articles. The document emphasizes thinking critically about research topics and employing systematic search strategies to locate the most pertinent articles from the extensive collection of over 40,000 electronic journals.

1. Research and
Information Skills
Searching electronic
journals

2. Introduction
Academic journal articles typically contain scholarly writing, relating a particular academic discipline. They can
serve as an introduction for new research findings, or may provide a critique (or new interpretations) of existing
theories or research findings. Articles will typically undergo a “peer-review” process (whereby the article is
reviewed by a number of outside experts) prior to publication – This process ensures that published articles can
be safely considered as part of a reliable body of research and knowledge within that field.
The Internet has revolutionized both the production of, and access to journal articles. In the majority of cases,
individual articles are now made available in electronic format upon publication. These electronic copies are
then added to subject specific, bibliographic databases, which can be accessed over the internet.
The John Rylands University Library (JRUL) subscribes to a wide variety of these subject specialist bibliographic
databases. From these subscriptions we currently provide access to articles from over 40,000 individual journals
(many of which are peer review publications). In the face of such an enormous volume of information sources,
locating the journal articles you need, can initially be a confusing process. Use this guide to help you through the
initial stages of the searching process.
Using electronic journals
Electronic journals can be found by going to the Search Resources section of the Library website:
http://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/
There are two main types of article search you can undertake using the library web-pages:
• Search for a specific journal article (or articles from a specific publication)
If you are searching for a specific article (or for articles published within a particular journal), you can
easily link to the full-text by using the A-Z listing.
OR
• Search for a range of articles on a topic/subject
You can use the e-journal databases you to search across multiple journal titles for articles. This is the
best way if you are researching a specific topic for an essay, dissertation or project. Each database has
similar search functions but varies in the content of journals included. Some have specialisms, or
particular types, or quantity of journals.
DON’T FORGET: You can access electronic journals from anywhere, not just on campus. To access anywhere
other than the University you will need your University (Central) Username and Password.

3. Finding articles by journal / article title
Using the A-Z Listing of Electronic Journal Titles
The A-Z of Electronic Journal Titles details all the full text electronic journals held by the JRUL in alphabetical order.
• Access the Electronic Journals A-Z listing via the JRUL Website homepage:
http://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/
• Select Electronic Journals A-Z
• The easiest way to locate the journal title is to use the search engine - Enter your journal title into the search box (located
at the top of the screen) eg: “Journal of American History”
• Matching references will be displayed whereby the journal title contains the words entered into the search box – scroll
down the list until you locate the journal you are searching for.
• Links to bibliographic databases (e.g. History Cooperative & JSTOR), appear underneath the journal title. These links
indicate that the database contains articles from this particular journal. You now need to check the dates covered by each
database, and make the appropriate selection to match your reference (e.g. For 1974 articles from the Journal of
American History you should select JSTOR) - You will be prompted for your username and password if you are off-
campus)
• Once you have followed the database link, details of the journal and its holdings will be displayed. It is possible to look for
available articles either by date, or by volume number and issue.
Using Library Search Using the Library Catalogue
• You can also use the Library Search facility to • Access the Library Catalogue and click on More
locate a specific article / issue search options
• Type the journal title into the Library Search • Enter the Journal Title eg: “Journal of
box (available via the JRUL homepage) American History” into the Title field
• If the journal is available electronically, then • Change the “Collection” box to “Journals” -
a link “Electronic Resource” will appear click “Search”
underneath the individual entry • The catalogue lists details of both hard copy
• Click on this link – You can now enter journal holdings held in the library and
individual details of the issue / article you electronic versions. Look for the reference
require (You will need the full reference – stating “Electronic Resource” and click on the
including page numbers – to access and title
individual article) • Select the “Full Text from the JRUL Find It
• Click on Go – You will now be taken to the Service” link which appears under the Web
relevant holdings. link heading
• You will now be directed to the Find IT service
• Select “Go” to link to the full text journal.
Can’t find it?
• Check the library catalogue to see if the library holds the journal in hard copy. The catalogue will state which library holds
the journal and available dates.
• You can order the journal article via the Document Supply Service. Contact your nearest library for further details.

4. Searching for articles by topic/subject
The JRUL subscribes to over 40,000 electronic journal titles, providing you with a huge volume of information to
navigate. As such, you will need to employ a systematic approach to your subject or literature based searching.
You should follow the 4 key stages outlined below, to construct an effective search strategy. This should help you to
identify articles that are relevant to your research (and will ensure that you are able to make the most of the vast
resources of information that are available to you as a University of Manchester student).
Stage 1: Identify Keywords Stage 2: Identify information sources
The first stage of the search requires you to think very You now need to determine WHERE you are going to
carefully about WHAT you are actually searching for. search for information - In order to help you select the
You need to think very carefully about your research correct database for your topic, the JRUL website
topic, and try to identify 2-3 key terms (keywords), that categorises the bibliographic databases by subject area.
best describe the subject. E.g.
• Write down a phrase that summarises your • Select the Academic Support link provided at
topic eg: “Customer relationship management http://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/
in financial services” • Click on A-Z of subjects link, and click on the
• Try to think of the key terms and any subject of your choice e.g. Geography
alternative terms eg: Customer Relations, • Now click on the Databases link – You are
CRM, financial services, banks, building presented with links to various databases
societies within your chosen subject area: Read the
• Check to see if the database has a subject or individual database descriptions to determine
thesaurus facility to help identify appropriate which contain journal articles
keywords. • Click on an individual database e.g. GeoBase
• Select your chosen database from the suppliers
product list (if necessary)
Further options for Stage 2
Search on JSTOR
(JSTOR contains historical back-runs of 900+ academic titles – Searches can be narrowed down by subject)
• Select the Electronic Resources from the JRUL website http://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/
• Select Databases
• Click on the letter J, then select JSTOR from the list which appears
• Click on Advanced Search, and use the checkboxes to restrict your search to your chosen subject
Cross Search using “Library Search”
Library Search allows you to search for both books and journal articles, as it combines a search of the Library
catalogue with a general search of the bibliographic databases
• Click on the Library Search link available from http://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/
N.B. The search engine for Library Search is not as comprehensive as the search engines within the individual databases and
results may vary. We do strongly recommend that for a thorough literature search you also explore at least two of the
individual subject specialist databases.

5. Stage 3: Searching the database
Once an information source has been selected, you can begin the process of searching for individual articles. Use the
search interface provided by the database to enter the Search terms (keywords) that you identified in Stage 1. In
addition to using keywords, you may wish to employ any or all of following searching techniques. Application of
these techniques will help to improve the quality of the search results received.
Using Boolean logic Using limiters
Allows you to combine or exclude terms from your Limiters allow you to narrow the focus of your search –
search by using the operators AND, OR and NOT. These are normally select these from a drop down menu,
Usually you will be able to select one of these options located next to the box where you enter your search
from a drop down menu to the left or right of the terms. Common limiters include:
search box :
• Abstract – This greatly reduces the number of
• AND will link the terms to find only articles results received as the search is only run across
that mention both concepts: the abstracts of articles as opposed to the full
eg: tobacco AND advertising text
• OR will broaden the search by looking for • Dates – Very useful for eliminating older
synonyms, alternative spellings, material, or focusing in on a particular year(s)
abbreviations and plurals. Parentheses are of interest
often used to ensure that the database treats
each discrete concept separately before • Publication – Most databases will allow you to
looking for the next one: limit the search to articles from a nominated
eg: United Nations OR UN publication(s).
eg: (public sector OR civil service) AND
absenteeism • Other limiters will be subject specific to the
database –e.g. Most business & management
• NOT can be used when you need to narrow databases will allow you to limit the search to
the search by excluding certain keywords or articles about a nominated company.
concepts:
eg: industrial action NOT fire service
Using truncation and wild cards
• Most databases allow for truncation and wild cards.
• Truncation: usually an asterisk (*) although can vary so check the database help screen
• Wild cards: usually a question mark (?) although can vary so check the database help screen
comput* would find computer, computing, computation etc.
nationali?ation will find nationalisation or nationalization
Too many results? Not enough results?
• Add/combine further keywords to the search to • Think of other keywords or related terms to add
make it more specific. to the search.
• Use subject terms listed in the index or • Use truncation.
thesaurus and combine with keywords. • Remove any limits that have been set.
• Search across specific fields eg: searching the
title or abstract will help narrow the search.
• Apply limits to the search eg specify a particular
date or type of document.
• Check the Help screen for other search
operators that can be applied.

6. Stage 4: Downloading articles
Once you have located an article (or articles) that match your information needs, downloading is a relatively
simple process.
Individual download:
• You will often be offered the option to download in pdf or html format – pdf will provide an exact
representation of how the article appears in the print version of the journal (including diagrams,
photographs etc), but may take longer to download.
• There will also be options to print or email a copy of the article to your email account.
To download more than one article simultaneously
Most databases will allow for some form of bulk download (in many cases up to 100 articles at a time) -
Methods for performing bulk downloads vary depending on the database you are using, however, common
practice is to mark articles you wish to download by using a check box when browsing the results list.
This then often places all the chosen articles in a folder, which can be accessed when you have finished
browsing – Within the folder you will find the standard save, print and email options – Many databases will
also allow you to export the journal citations to bibliographic management software such as Endnote.
N.B. Articles are not always available in full text. You can however, use the purple FindIT@JRUL button to
check full text availability on another database. Clicking on the link will take you to the FindIT service, which
will provide full text links to the selected article (if it is available on a different database)
Further help
If you have any further questions about the contents of this guide, please feel free to contact the author:
John Hynes Faculty Team Assistant, MBS Library Services, Manchester Business School.
Telephone: 0161 275 6501
Email: john.hynes@mbs.ac.uk
N.B. Subject specific queries should be referred to your Academic Liaison Librarian in the first instance – You can
find out who this is by using the relevant Subject information pages on the JRUL website.