Think about your topic and break it down into concepts - these are your search terms.
You'll also want to brainstorm synonyms for your search terms. Some research may discuss the topic that you're interested in, but use a different word for the same concept.
Use a limiter to narrow your results down (e.g., by publication date) or adjust your search terms/add a new one.
Expand your topic or take away one of your limiters.
The library's main search tool for books, articles, and more. This tool is an excellent place to begin your research because it searches across UMSL's materials AND multiple online databases at the same time.
You have access to scholarly research and other resources provided through online databases that UMSL subscribes to every year. These databases allow you to search resources in your subject area in a more advanced, targeted way.
We subscribe to multiple databases that offer resources related to language and literature, including literary criticism.
We've linked recommendations to get you started below, or you can visit our complete list of databases. Contact the library for assistance with accessing or navigating any of UMSL's databases!
JSTOR contains articles and books, usually at least 3-5 years old, from scholarly sources. They also have some primary resource collections. For more recent material, use Discover@UMSL or other individual databases.
Journal Collections
Arts & Sciences I – XV
Life Sciences
Business IV
Hebrew Journals
Ireland
Public Health
Lives of Literature
Reports & Research
Security Studies
Sustainability
Primary Sources
19th Century British Pamphlets (Bristol Selected Pamphlets, Cowen Tracts, Earl Grey Pamphlets Collection, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Collection, Hume Tracts, Knowsley Pamphlet Collection, LSE Selected Pamphlets, Manchester Selected Pamphlets, Wilson Anti-Slavery Collection)
World Heritage Sites: Africa (Reference)
Struggle for Freedom: Southern Africa (Reference)
Global Plants (Reference)
The short answer is yes! You can use Google Scholar to conduct scholarly research. However, there are situations in which a library database will be more efficient and useful for your research.
Google Scholar may still provide you with valuable results, but we recommend also utilizing the library's resources to complete your research.