Research Guides: W.B. Ray IB High School: Finding Articles

Where Do I Start?

Quick Search

Use Quick Search when you want to get a broad search through all library databases, the catalog, print and online resources the library owns. You can do that here below:

Using Quick Search Filters

Since Quick Search will search through a much larger set of items (all databases, the library's catalog, most of the library's resources) you might need to use filters to narrow down your searches. You can pre-select filters at the start of your search or during your search.

General Databases are good places to start if you want to begin with a broad search but don't want it to be as broad as a Quick Search. Today we'll take a look at these two databases.

ABI/Inform Collection This link opens in a new window
Articles from magazines, trade publications and journals on business and economic conditions, management techniques, theory, and practice of business, advertising, marketing, economics, human resources, finance, taxation and computers. Also includes company information and executive profiles.
Unlimited simultaneous users.
JSTOR This link opens in a new window
Arts & Sciences Collections I - XV include the complete back runs of journals in many disciplines, with research journals in economics, history, political science, sociology, ecology, mathematics, statistics, etc..
Unlimited users.

Sometimes you need to start with a more focused search in databases that specialize in certain topics, subject areas, or disciplines. The library's databases page has a pull-down menu that will let you browse databases by topic or subject.

Once you get to the databases subject page you'll also see a list of librarian-picked "Best Bets" highlighted in yellow guiding you to the most popular, useful, or most comprehensive databases in a given subject.

Google Scholar is free to use on the internet, and has lots of full-text articles included. Google Scholar also allows you to search explore papers that have cited a certain paper, and includes Web of Science citation counts and lists when available.

When you are on campus using Islander_Guest access you can access TAMU-CC resources through Google Scholar. If you become a TAMU-CC student in the future you can set up your Google Scholar account to connect to TAMU-CC resources when you are off-campus. The video below demonstrates five tips that will help you maximize your Google Scholar searches.

Narrow or Broad Searching?

Consider which resource(s) search as a way to broaden or narrow your search in addition to broadening or narrowing your search keywords. If your topic is very focused, Google Scholar covers many resources and may be a broader search than you need. Or if you are still exploring or not finding enough sources, you might benefit from a broad search.