WR 122 Ahern: Scholarly Sources
Scholarly Sources
Scholarly articles can be found in library databases or online using tools like GoogleScholar. This page has information on finding scholarly sources, and just as important, being able to read and understand the source once you find it.
Video: What are Library Databases and Why do you Need Them?
Recommended databases for finding scholarly articles
- EBSCOhost This link opens in a new windowSearch from a wide range of research databases for magazine and journal articles. Updated daily. View the EBSCOhost handout
Mobile URL: EBSCOhost Mobile - JSTOR This link opens in a new windowJSTOR has full text of over 1000 scholarly journals in the arts and sciences, as far back as 18xx up to 3-5 years ago. Note: It does not include current issues of the journals. All ARTstor image collections are now part of JSTOR, and can be searched using the "Images" tab then selecting "ARTstor collections".
- ScienceDirect This link opens in a new windowFull text for more than 1,000 peer-reviewed life sciences, Health Science, physical sciences, and engineering journals with citation information for thousands more. Look for the "Full-text available" indicators to view articles online. View the Science Direct handout.
Find Articles with Google Scholar
Before searching, be sure to set PCC as your library in your browser by:
- Visiting the link to set "Library Links" settings for Google Scholar,
- using the search box to search for "Portland Community College",
- checking the check box that appears underneath the search to select “Portland Community College – Find it @ PCC”,
- and then selecting the Save button.
This will ensure that when you search Google Scholar in your browser, you will see Find It @ PCC links to full text if we have the article (Google Scholar sometimes also provides links to other free sources for full text).
You can learn more about setting Google Scholar preferences on the PCC Library Website.
- Google Scholar This link opens in a new windowGoogle Scholar searches the web for scholarly articles, reports, books, and other materials. If using Google Scholar from a PCC campus, you can access full text articles. If PCC has access to an article, a "Find it @ PCC" link will appear to the right of the search result. Click “Find it @ PCC” to go to the library catalog where you will be offered a choice to view the article. From home, you will need to set your Google Scholar preferences to access PCC Library resources. See How to Search PCC Library on Google Scholar for directions on how to set your Google Scholar preferences at home.
What is Peer Review?
- Alt Text for What is Peer Review Infographic PCC LibGuidesThis is longform alt text for the "What is Peer Review?" Infographic.
Reading Peer Reviewed Journal Articles
Need to find research articles from peer-reviewed science journals for a class project? These tutorials will get you started.
- What is a Peer Reviewed Article?This handout describes the peer review process, and characteristics of peer reviewed articles.
- How to read a scholarly article: Anatomy of an articleFrom Technological University of the Shannon Library, Ireland
- The Anatomy of a Scientific Article3:45 minute video tutorial from UC Denver
- How To Read a Scholarly Journal Article5:10 minute video from Kishwaukee College Library
Find scholarly sources from the library search box
1) Start with the library search box at pcc.edu/library. Conduct a search for your community, using only the most essential keywords.
2) Change the drop down menu on the search box to Articles and search again.
3) Limit your results to Peer reviewed so you will only retrieve scholarly sources.
4) Click the title, Check for Full Text, or the Find and Request link to access the article
This work by PCC Library is licensed by Portland Community College under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.- Last Updated: Mar 27, 2025 4:03 PM
- URL: https://guides.pcc.edu/WR122Ahern
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