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Michigan State University

MAFLT Online Library Research Guide: Finding Articles

Discover finding tools, full-text digital resources and expert help for all your language learning library research needs.

Searching With A Purpose

Video tutorial to help with your research focus and getting started with searching.

Direct link to "Searching with a Purpose" in MSU MediaSpace

Video credit: Megan Kudzia

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Get Full-Text Articles (Find Text@MSU)

Linguistic and Education Indexes: Articles, Book Chapters and More

Finding Full Text of Articles (After Searching an Index)

Many indexes provide the full text of articles; however, many others do not. For those that do not, there are several ways to find the full text of articles (either in print format or online) after you have searched an index. The steps are detailed below:

Step 1: Look for a Link
When searching an index for articles (such as ProQuest or OmniFile Full Text Select), take a look at your results screen or a more detailed record of the item you want to retrieve. Often there a link to the full text of the article somewhere on the results screen or in the detailed record. The link may say Jump to Full Text, View Full Text, Text with Graphics,  Page Image,  or  PDF PDF full text botton  If one of those links appears, click on it and you will retrieve the full text of the article.
If there is no link to the full text, go to Step 2.
 
Step 2: Find Articles through Find Text@MSU Find Text@MSU button
Look for a Find Text@MSUlink within the record of the article. If there is one, click on it and a new window will open with a series of options for finding the full text. Options will vary but may include:
  • Find Full Text at…If an online version of the item is available, one or more links will appear in this category. Usually this links directly to a specific article. Sometimes it may link to the table of contents for a journal issue, a list of volumes and issues available for a specific journal, or a search screen. You will then need to navigate or perform a search to reach the full text of the article. Sometimes multiple links offer you a choice of full-text options. If one does not work, try another.
  • Check Library Catalog… This is a shortcut to search the MSU Libraries’ catalog for availability using multiple search methods (by journal title, title, ISSN or ISBN). Even if the full text is not available online, a print copy may be.
  • Request a copy from… This is a shortcut to the MSU Libraries’ interlibrary loan service. If an item is not available online or in print at the MSU Libraries, this link helps you request the item using Interlibrary Loan.

Step 3:

If you are still unable to locate the article, proceed to Using a Citation to Find an Article.

Subject Guide

Profile Photo
Stephanie Perentesis
Contact:
MSU Libraries
366 W. Circle Drive
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: 517-884-0836
Subjects: Linguistics

Search Like a Pro

Tips for picking keywords and developing a search strategy:

  • Use "advanced search" when available
  • Use the thesaurus specific to your finding tool
  • Repeat the search, if necessary, with different keywords or related terms
  • Limit and refine search results
    • In the right-hand column for Proquest and LLBA
    • In the left-hand column for Education Full Text (Ebsco platform)
  • Look for peer-reviewed (scholarly) articles

Remember, you can limit your searches to a particular journal title in Proquest, LLBA , Education Full Text and other indexes by including the publication or source title as a term in your advanced search strategy.