Finding Journal Articles
There are three main ways to find the articles you need:
- Search Ara Library databases for articles on your subject. (Use this method to find your own articles for an assignment).
- Look for a particular article from a recommended reading list. (Use this method if you have a reading list with the details of an article, e.g. author, article/journal title).
Encyclopedias & Dictionaries
Start here for definitions of key terms and background information.
- Britannica Academic This link opens in a new window
The online version of the famous and trustworthy encyclopedia. Contains articles, images, videos, biographies, statistics, and an interactive atlas. Great source of primary sources. - Gale eBooks This link opens in a new window
Provides 24/7 access to top titles covering the most studied subject areas - Oxford Art Online (OUP) This link opens in a new windowAll forms of fine art and artists including NZ and Pacific content. Incorporates Grove Art Online, Benezit Dictionary of Artists, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms, Encyclopedia of Aesthetics & The Oxford Companion to Western Art.
- Oxford English Dictionary (OUP) This link opens in a new windowThe Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is widely regarded as the accepted authority on the English language.
Recommended Databases
- Academic Search Complete (EBSCO) This link opens in a new window
An excellent source of scholarly journals in all academic disciplines. This database covers engineering, language and linguistics, education, history, arts and literature, biology, chemistry, engineering, physics, psychology, religion and theology - Art & Architecture Complete (EBSCO) This link opens in a new window
Covers a wide variety of subjects, including antiques, art and art history, interior and landscape design. - Art Full Text (EBSCO) This link opens in a new window
A comprehensive resource for art information, covering fine, decorative and commercial art, folk art, photography, film, and architecture - Australia / New Zealand Reference Centre Plus (EBSCO) This link opens in a new window
Contains full-text leading Australia/New Zealand magazines, and newspapers, including the Australian Financial Review. Also contains local biographies, reference books, and an image and video collection. - Gale Academic OneFile This link opens in a new window
The premier source for peer-reviewed, full-text articles from the world's leading journals. This comprehensive resource covers all subject areas. - Gale OneFile: Communications and Mass Media This link opens in a new window
Focuses on all aspects of the communications field: key subjects covered include advertising and public relations, linguistics, and literature. - Gale OneFile: Fine Arts This link opens in a new window
This collection will provide support for research in areas such as drama, music, art history, and filmmaking - ProQuest Central This link opens in a new window
The collection includes thousands of full-text scholarly journals, newspapers, dissertations and case studies. Choose to filter your search by clicking on the "Books" tab to find only ebooks on your topic. - Vocational Studies Complete (EBSCO) This link opens in a new window
Designed specifically for the research needs of vocational programs. Topics include counseling, computing, culinary arts, electrical technology, fashion design, graphic arts, health information technology, interior design, travel and tourism, and veterinary assisting.
- All Library Databases
This link will bring you to a page with ALL of Ara's subscribed databases. Ask a librarian for help with choosing one if you need guidance!
Guides To Using Ara Databases
- Find an article in a database (EBSCO) [PDF] [Video]
- Find a Standard in Standards New Zealand database [PDF]
- How to access O'Reilly eBooks [formerly Safari eBooks] [PDF]
- Template example for search strategies to use in databases [PDF]
- Using Gale Academic OneFile database [PDF]
- Using eTV [PDF]
- Using Proquest Central database [PDF]
- Using Joanna Briggs database [Video]
- Using Ovid nursing database [PDF]
- Using Pubmed [Video]
- Using Pubmed, CINAHL, Proquest & Ovid to find MeSH headings [PDF]
- Using Science Direct database [PDF]
- Using LinkedIn Learning [PDF]
- What is a peer-reviewed article [PDF]
- Using Google Scholar and more [PDF]
- What are primary and secondary sources [PDF]
- Troubleshooting access to databases [PDF]
Google Scholar
Google Scholar is a good place to look if you can be specific about what you need.
Artstor
- Artstor Digital Library This link opens in a new window
Images in arts, architecture, humanities and sciences. For educational use only – images must not be used in publicly accessible resources unless otherwise specified in the rights statement.
- Getting Started In ArtstorVideo instructions (3 min).
- Export to PowerPointVideo instructions. (3 min).
- Artstor Mobile AppVideo instructions (2 min).