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Step 1: Identify Research Databases
Step 2: Search Research Databases
Step 3: Locate Journal Articles
Step 4: Request Journal Articles Not Available at the Waterloo Library
The Library subscribes to a number of research databases that can help make your search for journal articles more efficient. Instead of searching for articles one journal issue after another, research databases provide you with the option of simultaneously searching a variety of journal publications.
Visit the Research Databases (Journal Articles) page for a complete list of research databases available by subject and/or alphabetical menu.
Once that you have identified the research database that best suits your research needs, you may search for articles using a variety of techniques. Most databases provide basic and advanced search options. Search types include, but are not limited to:
Many databases allow you to limit your searches by date, language, document type, peer-reviewed articles only, and/or full-text documents only.
In many cases, the research databases will provide you with access to journal article citations and abstracts (citations). A number of databases also provide online access to the complete article (also called full-text).
Journal articles come in various formats: electronically, in print, or on microfiche.
To obtain a journal article, it is important to have the following information:
The 
button that is available in most of the research databases allows you to check if the Library has the article you wish to obtain. In many cases, this button provides a direct link to the full-text of the article you need.
In other cases you will be linked to a record in Primo (library catalogue) for the journal that your article is published in. You will either have the option to access the journal online and/or get the call number for its print subscription.
If the Library does not subscribe to the journal with the article you require, you will receive the following message: "No match found for your search."
You can also locate journal articles from databases that do not offer the button by conducting a journal title search using Primo.
If the Waterloo Library does not have the journal that has your article in it, but it is available from the Guelph or Laurier university libraries or the Annex, you can request a copy of the article. Journal articles are delivered in approximately 3 business days and you will be notified by email.
Ordering Instructions
1. In the library catalogue (Primo), display the record of the journal that contains the article
2. Click on the Requests link, then click “Place a request for an article”
3. Sign into the RACER request system:
4. In the Advanced Search screen, enter the title of the journal in the Title Field (enclose in quotation marks if more than one word) and click Search
5. Click any matching title to view the journal record, then click the Get it link in the upper right corner
6. Enter the article specific information into the Part Details section of the request form (mandatory)
7. Edit *Item not needed after date if required
8. Select the *Pickup Location from the drop down menu
9. Click the Request button at the bottom
NOTE: To request a journal article from a journal not available in the library catalogue (Primo), place an interlibrary loan by clicking the RACER link in the top catalogue menu (another link to RACER appears under Services on the library home page). For further information about requesting through RACER service, please visit the Using RACER guide.
For assistance using any of the research databases and/or other library resources, please contact your Liaison (Subject) Librarian or any of the Ask a Librarian services.