When you click a database link from OFF-CAMPUS, you will be asked to input your MyPima username and password.
You only need to do this once per session. Other database links will open automatically.
When conducting research it is important to distinguish between journal articles and magazine articles.
Quick guide to distinguish between scholarly, popular, and trade journals and magazines.
Google indexes the "public web," which is free to everyone. Many researchers call the public web the "open web." Believe it or not Google indexes less then 10% of the open web. The open web is not a very rich source for scholarly information. But the more important theme is that no one source provides all the information one normally needs to do good college level research.
When you use library databases, you are on the "private web" (dark web, invisible web, pay-for-web). The majority of articles you find are NOT available through Googling. They are sold to libraries. That is why you search library article and reference databases.
When using Google you may want to study on how to perform your research using Google in a more professional manner. Check out the Libguide on How to get the most out of Google searches, docs and much more.
1. Use a KEYWORD search.
2. Find a relevant article.
3. Try clicking an official SUBJECT descriptor from this article. Or look for a "Find Similar Articles" function.
4. Use precise terminology from the article in a new Keyword search.
5. Consult an encyclopedia for overviews of concepts (see box at lower left).
6. Email articles to yourself--with citations.
Does your instructor require you to use scholarly, or peer-reviewed articles? Watch the video below from Vanderbuilt University to find out what peer-reviewed articles are.