How do I read a scientific article?

This movie from Purdue can step you through it.(Thanks to Michael Fosmire, Purdue University)

Finding Journals

Use Periodical Locator to find all Physics and Astronomy journals.

Finding Articles

Look for and use the following icons while searching article databases:

	Link to full-text online when available.
	Request an electronic copy of an article. Delivery is usually within 1 to 2 days if the journal is available at JMU. May take longer if it must be ordered from another library.

Use the databases below to find scholarly research articles.

Scopus (Elsevier)

Excellent source for citation searching or finding original articles in physics. Check out the list of journals they index here. [more info]

Campus/Remote

ADS (SAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System)

Run by NASA, this digital library has data for physics and astrophysics.
[more info]

High-Energy Physics Literature Database

The HEP database includes high energy physics, some astrophysics, accelerator physics, and particle and atomic physics literature. [more info]

SciFinder Scholar (Chemical Abstracts Service)

[tutorial] Indexes and abstracts periodical articles in chemistry... [more info]

Campus/Remote

Materials Research Databases (ProQuest)

Search several Materials Research indexes simultaneously [more info]

Campus/Remote

ArXiV

ArXiv is an e-print repository in the fields of physics, mathematics, computer science, quantitative biology, quantitative finance and statistics. Note: arXiv is not a journal, it is a repository of papers that have usually been submitted to - but not yet printed in - a journal. Use and cite articles contained therein appropriately. [more info]

Have you had a library instruction session for a class in Spring, 2012?

If so, please fill out this survey! http://jmu.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_39K2bFDxj5wGbmA

Your responses help make future instruction more relevant and useful!