Library FAQs

You can find many articles through the library! The majority of current articles are available online. You can find these through the Library's website or one of the many databases we subscribe to. Remember: no single database contains all articles. 

Searching MavScholar

If you have a topic, but no specific journal title in mind, begin your search in the MavScholar. MavScholar has a quick search box on the Library Services website. It's the default search when you search something from the Library Services page. It looks like this:

After you have performed your initial search in MavScholar, view only Articles or peer-reviewed sources by using the left sidebar to filter results. Check the image below for more details and directions

Finding a Database

Sometimes it is best to search a more specific journal database than MavScholar. When you search a database, you'll get information from lots of journals at once, saving you time and energy. Most databases are subject-specific, so you know you'll get relevant information.

You can access databases from the Library Services homepage.  Below the search box, you'll find our links to databases.  Our "Article Databases A-Z" is great if you're trying to find a specific database. Or else, check out our "Class and Subject Guides." They're divided by department and class, and through them you can usually find databases topically.

If you know the name of the database you're looking for, click Article Databases A-Z and find it easily. If you do not know which database to use, click Class & Subject Guides

Searching a Database

Databases all look a little different, but they work in similar ways. Check out the visuals and directions below to get an idea for how they work.

Search tips:

• Start with words that relate broadly to your topic
• Add words that are unique or specific to your topic
• Avoid full sentences 

You can use phrases in direct quotes to find that exact phrase in that exact order. If you type in words without quotation marks, the search will look for those words in any order. You can also use boolean operators like and, or, and but to make your search more specific. Here's an example using the Academic Search Premier database:

Getting Irrelevant Results?

If you're getting irrelevant results, you can modify your results using the sidebar. Narrow your results by date, source type, and other limitations.

There are a few options that will probably be more help than others. For instance, in the Academic Search Premier database, you can limit the search to "Full Text" or "Scholarly ( Peer Reviewed) Journals." Full text means that the database will only look for the articles where the database has the whole article. "Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) Journals," means that the articles found will only be from journals that are reviewed by expert scholars.

Sometimes, however, NOT limiting to Full Text can turn up better search results. By including non-full text results, your search will include articles from other databases available at the Library (and at other libraries from which the University can borrow).

Keep Searching!

As you continue with your research, you may want to change your keywords by using different words and phrases you find. Be on alert for synonyms and abbreviations for the keywords you choose.

Finding Complete Articles

A full text article is usually available in one of two formats:

PDF:  a scanned document retaining the original layout of a print article
HTML: a single web page containing the document 

To access these full texts in a database, look for links or buttons that say things like "Linked Full Text," or "PDF Full Text." These links will bring you right to the entire article.

No Full Text Option

If the entry has no full text option, you may still be able to access the article. Click on the link near the citation labeled such as:

Check for Full Text -or- Go to Article

-or- Click Here For Other Article Options

After clicking the link, one of three scenarios is likely:

Scenario One: Online Access in Another Database

A purple Library Services bar will BRIEFLY appear. Our behind-the-scenes service is searching for access in another one of our databases.

A different website will have HTML or PDF access to the article.

Scenario Two: The article is in print and held at Memorial Library

Sometimes, instead of linking to another database, the page will go to MavScholar's Get It section and show the location of MSU,M Memorial Library. This means the library subscribes to a paper copy of the journal. Journals are located in the Periodicals section of the library on the first floor.

Scenario Three: We have no immediate access, but can get the article via Interlibrary Loan

If the screen opens to MavScholar's How to get it section with only a Sign in option, Minnesota State, Mankato does not have immediate access to this publication. In this case, you can order the article from another library by clicking Sign in to submit an Interlibrary Loan Request.

For more information about this process, check out our guide on requesting articles from other libraries. 

Get Articles from Other Libraries

If you have any trouble, please talk to a librarian.

Ask a Librarian
BTW, ewoks are real