Find Articles by Subject

The Library has a large collection of journal-article databases that allow you to locate articles by subject, author, title and more.   Use the list below to select a database area related to your research interests:

Additional info on finding articles:

Don't use the Library Catalog to find articles
CRUZCAT and Melvyl won't help you find journal articles. But don't panic—you won't have to endure the nightmare of looking through hundreds of journals page by page to find articles for your research. We have a large collection of journal-article indexes that allow you to locate articles by subject, author, title and more. And there are many indexes to choose from, some available in print and others as online databases.

Unfortunately, there is no single index that covers all the articles in the journals we own. In fact, we have hundreds of online article databases to choose from, each one specializing in different subject areas.

How do I search a database?
Each of the several hundred databases the Library subscribes to varies somewhat in how they look or are searched. Some useful tips in using an unfamiliar database include:

• Locate the built-in Help feature—This will often provide a quick overview of how to search
• Advanced search option—Most databases default to a very basic search box. A more advanced/expert search will often allow for more precise and efficient searching.
• Keyword Searching—This is usually the most flexible and forgiving of search options.

Is my article full-text online?
See “How to Use UC-eLinks” for more info.

Where does the Library keep its print journals?
The University Library shelves current journals separately in the Current Periodicals section of each library. Older volumes of journals are bound and shelved in the stacks of each library by call number. Current periodicals are on the second (main) floor of the Science & Engineering Library. Current periodicals are on the first floor (bottom floor) in McHenry Library. The call numbers for all journals can be found in CRUZCAT (http://cruzcat.ucsc.edu).

Hidden treasure—bibliographies & references
A bibliography is a list of books, articles and sometimes other materials such as films and recordings. Often-overlooked resources for journal articles are the bibliographies and cited references that can be found at the end of related journal articles or in books on your topic. So remember to take a look at the articles and books you've already found—you may have a treasure trove of related sources!