Skip to Main Content

Preparing for Success

Recommended databases

If you're looking for articles about a particular topic, try looking in one of our databases. Databases are large collections of journal articles and other information. The following are a selection of relevant databases. Each of our Subject guides also provide links to recommended databases.

Finding a journal homepage

The DOI is often found on the first page of an article. If you can't find a DOI for an article, try searching Crossref for the article title to check whether a DOI is available.

Peer reviewed or scholarly?

Your lecturer may require you to find peer-reviewed journal articles.  Here are some tips on finding out if your journal is a peer-reviewed journal:

There are 4 ways to check for peer-reviewed status:

  • does the database allow you to restrict your search to peer reviewed publications (like Ebsco)
  • does the database offer a way to check by clicking the journal title, or a browse title link (like APA-FT)
  • search a specialised database such as Ulrichsweb for the journal title. In Ulrichsweb you are hoping to see a little black and white striped referee shirt  which indicates the publication is peer reviewed (or refereed). Use a database such as Serials Directory (EBSCO) to search for the journal title and see where the publication is indexed. Reputable journals will be indexed by well known databases.
  • search the web for the home page of the journal. Look for an information for authors/contributors page. Does it tell authors that their work will be subject to a peer-reviewed process.

Also remember to check that your article is scholarly and not just an opinion or commentary piece that happens to be in a peer-reviewed publication.  Some good indicators:

  • the author gives their academic qualifications/affiliations with a university
  • often there is an abstract
  • substantial document - longer than 2 pages
  • list of references at the end.

Searching Ulrichs