How to Locate Scholarly Articles for Dissertation

Locating scholarly articles for your dissertation involves efficient use of academic databases and search engines. Here's how to find them effectively:

1. Use Academic Databases

  • Google Scholar: Use Google Scholar to search for scholarly articles by keyword, author, or publication. You can access a wide variety of free articles or find links to publisher websites for paid content.

  • JSTOR: JSTOR provides access to a large database of journals, especially in the humanities, social sciences, and arts.

  • PubMed/Medline: For life sciences, medicine, and health-related topics, PubMed is an essential resource.

  • ScienceDirect: For articles related to physical sciences, engineering, and technology, ScienceDirect is highly recommended.

  • ProQuest: Provides access to dissertations, scholarly journals, and a wide range of academic articles across disciplines.

2. Use Advanced Search Features

  • Boolean Operators: Use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to narrow or expand your search.

    • Example: “climate change” AND “sustainable agriculture” to find articles related to both topics.

  • Filters: Most databases allow you to filter search results by year, type of publication (e.g., journal article, thesis), and more.

  • Keywords and Phrases: Use specific keywords or phrases relevant to your research question to find articles that directly address your topic.

3. Review Reference Lists

  • Once you find an article that is relevant to your research, look at its reference list to find more sources. This can help you discover key studies and papers you may have missed.

4. Request Articles from Authors

  • If you find a relevant article but don’t have access, many authors are happy to share a copy upon request. Platforms like ResearchGate and Academia.edu are helpful for directly contacting authors.

5. Use University Resources

  • University libraries often provide access to paid journals and databases. Take full advantage of your institution’s subscriptions and interlibrary loan services to access resources that are not freely available online.

By using these strategies and resources, you can effectively locate scholarly articles and other sources for your dissertation literature review. These sources will form the backbone of your research and help you build a strong theoretical framework.