Frequently Asked Questions
Finding Journal Articles

The Basics

-How do I find journal articles?  See "How Do I  Find Journal Articles?"
-What’s the difference between periodicals, magazines, and journals?
-What are refereed and peer-reviewed journals?  What are scholarly journals?
-If the periodical is in the library, where can I find it?
 

Using the Journal Indexes
-I can’t find any articles on my subject.  Why not?
-Why can’t I access certain databases from off-campus?

-I can't get the Lewiston Morning Tribune online with the Library password anymore.  What's wrong?
-What is a citation, and how do I read one?
 

Getting hands on the journal articles
-How do I find the actual article after I find a citation on the computer?  See "Getting from Citations to Articles"
-When I print an article from a library workstation, where does it come out?
-What do I do if the library doesn’t subscribe to the journal I need?
-Will the library make copies of journal articles for me?
 

The Basics
What’s the difference between periodicals, magazines, and journals?
A periodical is a publication that comes out at regular intervals (every week, for example).  Newspapers, magazines, and journals are all examples of periodical literature.  Magazines are popular periodicals that try to attract broad audiences.  Journals are scholarly, academic publications in which professionals publish results of their research.
 

What are refereed and peer-reviewed journals?  What are scholarly journals?
Refereed journals, peer-reviewed journals, and scholarly journals are all ways to describe the same publications.   In these journals you will find articles written by scholars.  The articles are reviewed by other scholars in the field (“referees” or “peers”) before publication to assure that the author has followed good research methods and has contributed something new to their field of study.  For more information, refer to this page on Scholarly Articles.
 

If the periodical is in the library, where can I find it?
We have 2 locations for paper subscriptions to periodicals.  We shelve the 3 most current issues in the Current Periodicals section on the Library’s 1^st floor.  All other paper copies of periodicals are shelved in alphabetical order on the Library’s 2^nd floor. 

Some periodical subscriptions come in microfilm or microfiche, rather than paper.  Those are stored on the 1^st floor.

For more detailed locations, refer to this online map
 

Using the Journal Indexes
I can’t find any articles on my subject.  Why not?
First, check your search statement.  Make sure that you keep your search simple, with only the main ideas.  For example, you would want to type children and Bosnia, rather than articles about the emotional well-being of children in the former Yugoslavia, particularly Bosnia-Hercogovina.  Stick to just the main words.  Computers are easily confused by too much information!

If you’re sure about your search statement, try a Keyword Search instead of a Subject search.  If that doesn’t bring more results, try another database.  For example, if your topic deals with psychology issues, switch from MasterFile Premier to PsycINFO. 

Last but not least, ask the Reference Librarian for help on your specific topic!
 

Why can’t I access certain databases from off-campus?
We pay for a license for our students and faculty to access each database.  Sometimes the license from the database company restricts us to on-campus access or limits us to a certain number of simultaneous users.  Sorry for the inconvenience.  We look forward to seeing you in the library!
 

Due to restricted access, patrons need to come to the Library to use our online subscription to the Lewiston Morning Tribune.  If you have a paper subscription to the Lewiston Morning Tribune, you may call them at 208-743-9411 to set up your own online subscription (at no additional cost).

What is a citation, and how do I read one?
A citation is a brief description of a journal article.  It tells the researcher the article’s title, author, and where the article was published.  Click here for more information.
 

When I print an article from a library workstation, where does it come out?
The printer for the library workstations is at the Circulation Desk.  Tell the staff at the Desk what you printed out.  They will retrieve your article and charge you $.10 a page.  Remember that you can also email articles to yourself!
 

What do I do if the library doesn’t subscribe to the journal I need?
LCSC faculty, students, and staff may order articles via Inter-Library Loan.  (Other patrons should contact their local libraries.)  You will need to know the article’s title, author, date, the journal name, and page numbers, as well as your library card number.  Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery, and keep in mind that the lending library may charge you a fee.

If you are in the library, fill out an Inter-Library Loan Request form.  (Online patrons may click on “Forms for Requesting Materials," then follow the instructions.
 

Will the library make copies of journal articles for me?
The library offers this service only to registered Outreach students, who can request this service on “Forms for Requesting Materials."
 

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