Graduate Research Portal

This page presents a series of quick (1 to 3 minute) tutorials that show you how to conduct specific research activities. Among the topics covered are finding the full-text of an article you need, and setting up alerts for new items added to the Library's collections in your research areas.

Finding Sources

How to Find a Journal Title 

Searching for and accessing specific journal titles on the library's website. 

How to Create a Proxied Link for Off-Campus Access to Full Text

How to avoid the issue of being asked to login or pay a fee when accessing library database content off campus. 

Alerts

How to Set up a Catalogue Search Alert

You can save a search string on the library catalogue and have alerts sent to your email when new relevant content is added to the library's collection. 

How to Set up a Database Search Alert

Learn how to save a search string on a database and have alerts sent to your email when new relevant content is added to the database.

Database Alerts for Other Databases: 

EBSCO 

Web of Science 

ScienceDirect

How to Set up a Journal Table of Contents Alert

How to have alerts sent to your email when a new issue of your favourite academic journal is published. Examples from EBSCO, ProQuest, or ScienceDirect databases are included.  

How to Set up Article Citation Alerts  

Have alerts sent to your email when a journal article that you are particularly interested in is cited. 

Using Sources

How to find Terms of Use for a Library Journal 

Learn how to find the terms of use for a library journal which state whether or not its articles can be posted on class sites or shared with colleges at other institutions. 

Tools for Evaluating Journal Quality 

Tips and tricks for judging the quality of journals and articles. For more information on the different types of sources that you can use for your research see the "Finding Journal Articles" or "Evaluating Sources- Primary, Secondary & Tertiary Sources" library guides. 

Free Resources for Evaluating Journal Quality: 

Directory of Open Access Journals: peer-review, publication charges, and recent tables of contents of open access journals

Journal Tables of Contents: listings of quality academic journals and their recent tables of contents 

Sherpa Romeo: listing of quality academic journals and their open access embargo periods 

Further Reading on Impact Factors: 

Wouters et al. (2019). Rethinking impact factors: Better ways to judge a journal. 

Brembs et al. (2013). Deep impact: Unintended consequences of journal rank. 

San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment. (2012).

Campbell. (2008) Escape from the impact factor. 

Search Strategies

Using Pearl Growing in Complex Database Searching 

Using forward and backward citation searching (pearl growing) to find additional relevant materials after you have located one good-quality and scholarly item for your research. 

Using Search History in Complex Database Searching

In some databases you can use your previously searched terms to create new searches. This tutorial shows you how to use MeSH headings in the Medline database to mix and match concepts to create robust searches.