How do I find full text articles?
Answer
Search our library catalog and databases using the main search box on the library home page.
Full text can be read by downloading a PDF or reading online.
If you're not finding what you need, click the blue Expand Your Search button toward the top of the search results page. This will open your search to include resources (books, articles, etc.) from other (non-USD) libraries. Non-USD resources will have the option to "Get it for me from other libraries." Log into your MySanDiego account to see options and place a request for us to get it for you from another library (called Interlibrary Loan).
Tips for finding a known item:
First try searching for the article or book title. If that retrieves nothing or even too many results, try searching the title plus author last name. You can also use the filters on the left side of the search results page to limit your results by publication date, item format, language, etc.
1. You don't need to search titles or names in full. A few words from the title or the author's last name are typically good enough, as long as you have terms that are sufficiently unique (see next tip).
2. Choose more uncommon search words/phrases, keeping in mind the larger context. For the example below, the journal Nature will likely have more articles about chemistry than dancing. In this case, the author's relatively uncommon name makes it a useful search term as well.
Example article: Raman, Spoorthy. TikTok’s Dancing Chemist Catalyses Joy in Students. Nature, 2023
More effective search phrases
raman dancing chemist
dancing students nature
Less effective search phrases (too broad)
students dancing
chemist students nature
Searching chemist nature will retrieve more articles to dig through than dancing nature.
If we don't have an article you're looking for you can use our blank Interlibrary Loan Service to request a copy.