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How to trace articles in journals, conference papers and other publications:
The problem
You are looking for information, and after checking all the relevant books, you still haven't sufficient for your needs. You think there must be something else written about your chosen topic, but how do you locate material that may have been published in journals [a.k.a. periodicals or magazines] or in conference papers?
Indexes
There are indexing services that attempt to solve the problem by gathering this type of information. These services are published, usually as databases that may be searched methodically by keyword, though some indexes are still available in printed form. These indexes are sometimes described as bibliographic databases, because they provide the bibliographic information you will need to find the article, e.g.
Author: Margot Coatts.
Title: Stamp of the maker.
Periodical: Crafts
Reference: no.159 (Jul\Aug.1999) p.15
Note: you will still need to check whether the journal or title is held in the Library.
These indexing services are mostly delivered over the World Wide Web, though some may be on CD-ROM. Usually the results of searches that you carry out may be printed, saved to disk or e-mailed to your inbox for future reference.
The University subscribes to a number of these databases, and Londonmet students and staff may access them using their University Network username and password.
Abstracts
There are services that go a step further and provide abstracts, i.e. a brief summary of the content of the article or paper. This can help you to evaluate the usefulness or relevance of the article.
Will the material be available in Londonmet libraries?
Remember that these electronic services are produced by commercial companies, and not all the material indexed will be held in the University Library's collections. With experience you will be able to narrow your search to readily available material. In the case of post-graduate students and undergraduates writing dissertations, it may be appropriate to use the Interlibrary loans request services to obtain copies of articles not held in the collection. The Sconul Access [formerly UK Libraries Plus] scheme also gives access to other University libraries where you may locate journals and other material.
Full text services
There are some databases that not only perform a search on a topic, but also permit you to download the full text of articles located. Usually these articles may be printed, saved to disk or e-mailed to your inbox.
The most relevant electronic services for subject areas are listed here:
Design
Design for Disability
Furniture and Textile Furnishings
Interior Design
Musical Instrument Technology
Restoration and Conservation
Electronic Journals
Some journals are available electronically over the World Wide Web to subscribers. Where the University Library holds a subscription, it may be possible to access the electronic version using your personal account details. The Library catalogue will inform you where an electronic version of a journal is available by providing a link to click on. [Use Catalogue Enquiries/Journals]. e.g.
Title The art book international publishing review
Imprint Oxford Blackwell [for] the Association of Art Historians
Lib has Commercial Rd Periodicals: Current year Internet
Click on the following to:
Ingentaselect database: Vol.4, 1997-
Swetswise database: Full text Vol.4, 1997-
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