Digital Literacy

"Uncover and Discover"

Additional Assistance

Tutorials: ORR

Self Paced Tutorial

Introduction

(Video)

The ORR is divided into four basic categories:

Articles and Abstracts Tab

Article Indexes & Abstracts Search in the ORR

If you would like to find articles on a topic, but don't yet know which journals they are in-- search in Article Indexes & Abstracts (refines to databases for searching topics).

There are over 200 such databases available to you as a member of the UIUC community-- most organized by subject area.

Once you get to a database you can type in your topic and look at the results from hundreds of possible journals (many which are full text).

Once you choose Article Indexes & Abstracts you can either type in the name of a database or choose one from a subject area.

Journals & Newspapers Search

(Video Tutorial)

If you already know of a journal that you want to consult (you got the citation elsewhere)-- you can simply choose the Journals and Newspapers Category and type in the name to find a possible full text option. Sometimes you will be sent to a database that provides access, or to a journal publisher site.

Keep in mind that if you choose the Journal Selection you are limiting yourself to that one journal title, rather than going to a database where you can search a topic and find multiple journal articles on that topic.

Reference Tools Search

(Video Tutorial)

The ORR has a category that allows you to locate just the reference tools in each subject area. These would include sources like almanacs, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, statistics, etc.

Reference tools are excellent for finding background information, definitions, facts, and statistics on a topic.

All Resources Search

(Video Tutorial)

Generally, it is a good idea to use the other specific categories to find resources (since they are more defined). The category All Resources lists the 10s of thousands of electronic resources available at the UIUC, so it could take some time to scroll through the pages and pages of titles.

Review of the ORR

The ORR is a page that categorizes the electronic resources available to the UIUC community. It is best to choose the category at the top that most closely fits your need.The ORR is a page that categorizes the electronic resources available to the UIUC community. It is best to choose the category at the top that most closely fits your need.

For example, it's best to search the Article Indexes category if you are looking for articles on a subject, rather than looking under Journals or All Resources (which only list titles).

Remember: if you need assistance contact a librarian: Ask A Librarian.