Finding journal articles on a topic
You can search for journal articles on a topic using NUsearch or your subject databases.
Using NUsearch
NUsearch [UK, China, Malaysia] is a good place to start your search for journal articles on a topic.
Sign in to NUsearch before you begin to ensure full functionality and access to our wider collection of online resources.
Searching NUsearch
Search using keywords.
If your search finds too many results, you can refine it by:
- Applying filters, such as publication year, language, or online availability
- Using Advanced Search to help you combine multiple keywords
Go to the Search skills page for more help with structuring a keyword search.
Using subject databases
Having used NUsearch [UK, China, Malaysia] to look for journal articles on a topic, the next step is to search your subject databases.
Subject databases are subject-based collections of primarily journal articles. Some subject databases also include conference proceedings and book chapters.
Each database covers a slightly different subject area, although some of the content may overlap. Searching multiple databases in your subject area will help you to find as much relevant information as possible.
Advantages of using subject databases
Subject databases:
- Enable you to search across many different journal titles in one go, saving you time
- Are regularly updated, enabling you to find journal articles on current research
- Allow you to structure more compex searches to find relevant articles in your subject area (see Search skills and Search skills for subject databases for more information)
Accessing your subject databases
You can access your subject databases from the Databases tab on NUsearch [UK, China, Malaysia]. Search for a specific database name or browse the subject categories.
To access a subject database if you are working off campus you may be asked to login with your University username and password.
If you are a UK student you may also find it useful to download our Library Access browser extension. This provides easy access to online resources wherever you are.
Searching your subject databases
Finding and accessing full text articles
NUsearch and your subject databases include far more journals (print and electronic) than the library subscribes to, so not all articles are available in full text.
From NUsearch
You can:
- Check the location of print journals
- Use Available online links to check availability and access full text articles
From subject databases
You may see the following options:
- Find It buttons to check the availability of online journals and access the full text
- Full text, PDF or HTML links to access full text articles directly from the database
From off campus
To access a full text article if you are working off campus you may be asked to login with your University username and password.
For more information see Logging on to eResources.
If you are a UK student you may also find it useful to download our Library Access browser extension. This provides easy access to online resources wherever you are.
Obtaining journal articles not available in the library
You can request articles not available in the library, either in print or electronically, through our Interlibrary loan service.
More information on the Finding resources elsewhere page.