Brandel Library

GS 1200 Natural History of Illinois

Welcome to the course research guide to assist you in finding helpful resources for your two Natural History papers.

Databases

Databases

Getting Full Text Articles

The Brandel Library can often provide a link directly to the PDF of the article you need. After searching a library database, links with the phrase "Full Text" should all resolve to the PDF of the article.

Some of the time, however, the library won't have access to the full text of the article. In those cases, you will need to use the "Request via WorldShare Interlibrary Loan" link to request the article. The WorldShare Interlibrary Loan service is free to students and most articles arrive within 4 days.

Scholarly VS Popular

Use the following criteria to decide if a publication is popular or scholarly.

Scholarly journal articles are generally:

  • written by experts in the field for an informed reader
  • followed by a bibliography
  • include the credentials of the author (s)

Popular magazine articles are often:

  • written by staff reporters
  • shorter in length
  • aimed at the general public
  • Example: Time Magazine