Learn how to find the resource material you require; get the most of of search using the Library databases; access full text articles or develop a search strategy.

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 Use Library Search

Library Search is the Library’s discovery catalogue containing information about books, ebooks, journals, articles, databases, films and theses in our collections. You can use Library Search to:

• search for items on your reading list
• to check if the Library subscribes to a particular journal
• or as a starting point for further reading or researching around a topic

On the results page switch to the articles tab to show journal articles that your search has returned from some of the Library’s databases.

 Find material on a reading list

Reading lists provide information about the reading required and recommended for your modules. It is important to understand the references on your reading list so that you can easily find the materials you need.

See our guide to understanding your reading list or watch our videos on how to find books and articles:

Check Talis Aspire for your reading list.

 Search Library databases

Library Search contains results from some of the databases, however, when you need to carry out a more in-depth search it is recommended that you search within individual subject databases.

A Library database allows you to across search thousands of records from different scholarly and professional publications to find articles on your chosen topic. Some databases enable you to search across disciplines while others are more subject specific.

Use our database list to explore databases for your subject or to find databases by material type.

What is the difference between Library Search and a database?

Find full text articles

 Via Library Search

• From the Library home page search Library Search for the article title, authors, or keywords
• Library Search displays results from the Library Catalogue in one tab and Articles in another tab. Click the Articles tab
• You can then refine your search by adding further search terms or by using the available filter options as appropriate

 Via Library databases

• Library databases will often show a link to the PDF or full text of the article which you can download or print. However, there may be occasions where the full text is not available from within the particular database you are searching
• In this case you will need to click on the WebBridge link. WebBridge searches across our other databases and subscriptions to try and locate the article for you. Our finding full text guide shows you how WebBridge works

 Via Google Scholar

• Google Scholar broadly searches the web for scholarly literature across disciplines and source type. Content includes journal articles, book chapters and material from institutional repositories
• Google Scholar does not contain everything in the Library’s databases so it should be used to supplement rather than replace the Library resources
• If you are using Google Scholar, make sure you set it up to show access via the University of Warwick. This will allow you to read the full text of articles through Google Scholar which are also included in the Library’s subscription. Go to Settings; Library Links and search for University of Warwick (see screen examples below)

Show Google Scholar screen examples

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Develop your search strategies

Effectively navigate your way around the large amounts of information available to you through the Library by learning how to develop a search strategy.

 Benefits of developing a search strategy

• Results retrieved will be more relevant
• Less likely to miss out on important research
• More manageable number of results to review
• Efficient use of time

See our guide on how to develop a search strategy or view our video on conducting an effective literature search:

To develop your skills in searching for information join our online GetWISe skills module.