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Articles are found by using tools known as indexes and abstracts (IAs). Electronic versions are accessed on our campus through the Library Gateway or departmental library Web sites via the Online Research Resources (ORR) database. They are generally referred to as article databases or bibliographic databases or index and abstract (IA) databases because they contain descriptive information about articles, and sometimes other types of materials depending on the database.
The content providers have people who comb journal titles and create records for the content. This can be records with basic citation details, or records with citation details as well as an abstract (article summary) and perhaps other descriptive information, such as taxonomic terms, concept codes, etc.
IA databases do not index content for particular institution subscriptions. They are used to identify articles, and are subscribed to by thousands of institutions around the world. Most IA databases are subscribed to and paid for by the University Library. They are available for use in campus libraries, and other campus IP addresses. Students, faculty, and staff can also access them on off-campus computers with their NetID and password.
Full text articles may be provided by the IA database, and / or through links to Library journal subscriptions. [ See Can I get the full text of journal articles from the web?]. If not, then a search for the article's journal title needs to be done in the Online Library Catalog (Quick Search) to ascertain whether it is available through the library. [ See How do I use the citations from article databases to find the articles in the library?]
There are many IA databases. Some are cover publications from multiple subject areas, some cover a selected number of areas that relate to one another, and some are focused on a narrow area. See next question for IA databases of interest to Life Sciences researchers. It is important to know get acquainted with what topic area an IA database covers to decide which one(s) will be appropriate for your information search.
It is also important to know that the publication years of titles that are covered are different from IA database to IA database, which can change at any time depending on updates by product producers, etc. If you are needing to find publications from a particular date range that is not covered by the IA database, there may be a print version that covers an earlier time period you are needing. If not, there may be another IA database or print version that will cover your area(s) of interest.
Information about what a database covers can be found in a number of ways:
- The ORR record provides basic description, with more details via "i" to the left of IA database title entry
- Departmental libraries provide guides to the main IA databases used by their patrons
- Many databases provide descriptions, but not all do
- The database producer also provides information about their products. Locate this information in the database and then 'Google' the producer and search their site.
- A librarian will be happy to assist you!
The UIUC Library provides Web access to article databases for its patrons. Important biology databases include Biological Abstracts, Current Contents PubMed (MEDLINE), and Science Citation Index. Access these directly from the Biology Library Homepage . Many more databases can be accessed from the Online Research Resources (ORR) database accessed from the Library Gateway available from every departmental library's homepage. Available databases useful to biologists include the Zoological Record, AGRICOLA, CAB Abstracts, Wilson Biological and Agricultural Index, and more. A brief description of nearly two dozen IA databases can be found in the guide Electronic Resources in the Biology Library [pdf].
UIUC students, faculty, and staff can access most article databases from any computer terminal with Internet access; however, you may be required to log in with your campus NetID and password if you are using an off-campus terminal that is not connected to the network via a UI dial up connection.
For specific instructions on using some important article databases, see our series of Database Search Instructions. These are also available in print at the Biology Library. The Reference Librarian can assist you in using any of the databases 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday.
When there are no links to full text articles, there may be a link directly to the Library Online Library Catalog from the database's article record. This will link to a record telling the journal title holdings and location when available so that you can go find the article in the print journal.
The Online Research Resources (ORR) is a database that provides access to most electronic information resources (e-journals, e-books, electronic indexes and abstracts) the Library has available. Many of the Library electronic journal subscriptions also have records in the Online Library Catalog, but not all.
ORR records display the 'holdings' (what volumes and/or issues) that are available for the electronic subscription(s), as well as the print subscriptions of that journal title with a link to its Online Catalog Record. This is a good place to check also, since not all electronic journal subscriptions we have may be in the Online Library Catalog or linked within the article databases. Click on the ORR Help tab or Using the Online Research Resources Page (ORR) for more information about the ORR and how to search it.
If there is no direct link in the article record in the database to the Library catalog record, you will need to go directly to the Online Library Catalog and click Quick Search. Enter the journal title, and click the Start of Magazine/Journal Title button.. Once you have found the catalog record for the journal, look for the volume you need in the holdings. If the journal volume you need is not available on campus, you can request the article via interlibrary loan. If you are unable to interpret a citation, ask at the Reference Desk for help.
Hints to help you find the Journal Title in citations from typical article databases are given below.
- Web of Knowledge databases (Science Citation Index, Biological Abstracts): journal title, volume, issue and page numbers are in the Source field
- Zoological Record (and other WebSpirs databases, including Agricola, CAB Abstracts): journal title, volume, issue and page numbers are in the Source field (abbreviated SO in the default display).
- PubMed (MEDLINE) : In the Summary (default) display, journal titles are after the author and article title, on a separate line, followed by publication date, volume, issue, and page numbers.
Many article databases provide access to electronic full text articles from the indexing record. Also the library has subscriptions to thousands of electronic journals either individually or through various packages or article databases. For selected titles, the library Discover button links to Library electronic journal subscriptions.
The Online Research Resources (ORR) is a database that provides access to most electronic information resources (e-journals, e-books, electronic indexes and abstracts) the Library has available. Many of the Library electronic journal subscriptions also have records in the Online Library Catalog, but not all. ORR records display the 'holdings' (what volumes and/or issues) that are available for the electronic subscriptions(s), as well as the print subscriptions of that journal title with a link to its Online Catalog Record. You can browse journal issues of particular interest, or locate specific articles whenyou know the volume and issue that the article title is in. Click on the ORR Help tab or Using the Online Research Resources Page (ORR) for more information about the ORR and how to search it.
The Biology Library Electronic Journals page provides links to life sicences journals to which we have electronic subscriptions. You can browse the journal of your choice from this site. If you need assistance using this site or if any of the links do not work, please contact the Biology Library (4-3591 or biolib@uiuc.edu) or stop by the Reference Desk. N ote: The Electronic Journals page lists only the biology journals to which we have electronic access -- it is not a list of all the journals available at the Biology Library, or other subject titles on campus!
Ask a librarian! Visit or call (4-3591) the Reference Desk 8:30am-5:00pm Monday - Friday, or email the Biology Library at biolib@uiuc.edu. Please provide as much information as possible, and be sure to include your name and a way for us to reach you.
For biomedical and some life sciences titles, try PubMed's Journal Browser (a searchable database), or browse titles in the List of Journals Indexed in Index Medicus. There are print copies of the List of Journals Indexed in Index Medicus and BIOSIS Serial Sources at the Reference Desk.
Other options include:
If you do not find your title, ask for help at the Reference Desk.
You can request photocopies of articles from the Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery (ILL/DD). Click on Login to My Account . Login with your campus NetID and password. Click Return.
The first time you do this, you will need to enter your campus address information , as well as your library borrower identification number (above the bar code on your I-card) into the ILLIAD Patron form. Thereafter it will be there automatically, needing editing to update. Click Submit.
Look over your borrower data details. If not correct, use the back button on your browser to go back and correct the information. If correct, Submit Information. Click the Request a Photocopy button.
Please note the Warning Concerning Copyright Restrictions on the request form. All fields marked with an asterix must be filled in, and as much of the others as you know. Click Submit Request.
Note that you do not need to know which library owns the journal. Most articles are sent as pdf files electronically to IRRC who then transfers the article to a web page and sends you an email notice with instructions to retrieve your document. When articles are shipped as print photocopies through the mail, they will be sent to the address indicated on the contact information section of the web order form. Articles take at least 7 days to arrive, so plan ahead! For more information, see Borrowing Office Policies and FAQs.
University LibraryFor comments on this page contact: Biology Library
Last modified by: Jie Zhao on 8/21/08