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The Research Process

This guide presents the Research Process that uses Resources at Wolfgram Memorial Library.

Keyword Searching

The following search example uses the Academic Search Premier Database, an interdisciplinary database.

  1. From the Library's Homepage, select A - Z Databases.
  2. View this alphabetical list that shows rich variety of databases available at Widener.
  3. Select A and then Academic Search Premier.

The following example uses the keywords adolescents AND mental illness

Search Screen:

Academic Search Premier Search Screen with the Keywords adolescents in one box and mental illness in another box and a red box Highlighting Academic Search Premier, Peer Reviewed and Past 10 years.

Important Features of the Initial Search Screen:

  • Use the boxes provided to separate your search terms. In this example you are searching for articles that contain both the terms adolescents and mental illness. (By retaining AND all articles with have both terms. 
  • Always check in the upper left corner of the search box that you are searching the database you intended, Here you see Academic Search Premier listed. (Many databases look exactly the same and ensuring you are searching the correct one is helpful and avoids frustration.)
  • Limiting Your Search:
    • Scroll down and under Limit your results select Peer Reviewed  - With this you are ensuring that the articles come from only Peer Reviewed, Scholarly sources.
    • Under Publication Date, Limit to the Past 10 years or any date range you prefer.
  • Then select Search button in blue

 

Brief Results:

The brief results showing 3 articles with a red box highlighting Peer Reviewed, Past 10 Years and the Access Options link for each article

Important Features of the Brief Result

  • The hyperlinked title of the article (Notice that your search terms are highlighted.)
  • The hyperlinked authors
  • The Journal name and Date of Publication
  • A list of subjects assigned to the article (Notice that your search terms are in bold.)
  • On the top notice that Peer Reviewed Past 10 Years appears. (You can change these limits here.
  • Access Options: Click on this drop-down to see what Full Text options are available, You can usually obtain the Full Text from the links that appear. 

Click on the hyperlinked Title of each article to Obtain the Detailed Record.

  • Example: Select Trends in mental health problems among Swedish adolescents: Do school-related factors play a role?

Detailed Record:

The detailed record for the article Trends in mental health problems among Swedish adolescents: Do school-related factors play a role? Red circles surround Peer Reviewed Article and the Download link. Red squares highlight The Source information, The Subjects terms and the Abstract.

Benefits of the Detailed Record:

  • At the top the database confirms that this selection is a Peer Reviewed Article.
  • Hyperlinked Authors Names: Click on these names to find other works in this database.
  • Source: You obtain the tittle of the Source as well as the Volume, Issue and page numbers to ensure your reference are accurate.  
  • Subject Terms: Click on these terms or use them as keywords for future searches.
  • When you scroll down you see the Abstract: This provides a useful summary of the article that will help you determine if it is relevant for your research.
  • Download: Click here to download the PDF full text of the article.