Finding Articles


Finding Books

Finding Articles

St. Mary's University Libraries Catalog
+WorldCat (OCLC FirstSearch)
+Gale Virtual Reference Library
+Religion & Philosophy Collection

+Academic Search Complete

Theology Periodicals available through the Blume Library (xls)

Locating Journals, Magazines, and Newspapers in the Blume Library
Bible Resources Theological Resources Catholic Resources Documenting Sources - MLA Style (pdf) Electronic Databases Blume Library St. Mary's University Theology Department Evaluating Information

Finding Articles
in Journals and Magazines

The tools or keys to locating articles in periodicals (journals, magazines, newspapers) are periodical indexes or databases. Rather than browsing through hundreds of journals or magazines, indexes indicate in which journals and issues articles on your topic are located.

In the Blume Library, print format periodical indexes are located on the Main (2nd) Floor Index Tables behind the Reference Desk. Many of our indexes are also available as electronic subscription databases.

Make sure to view the brief tutorial on Finding Periodical Articles through the Louis J. Blume Library at St. Mary's University.

University faculty frequently recommend or require students to use scholarly journal articles in writing research papers and projects. Learn more about scholarly journals and the articles they contain.

Commentaries and criticism may be located in periodicals, as well as books and other reference sources. Here are several indexes that may contain references to biblical commentaries and criticism:

Print Periodical Index

Religion Index: One indexes scholarly articles and books on theological/Biblical topics and persons. It also has a scripture index. It is a print index located on the Main (2nd) Floor Index Tables.

When searching for biblical commentaries or criticism in a printed index, look in the "B"s for subject headings in the following format:

Examples:

Bible -- O.T. Genesis -- Commentaries

Bible -- O.T. Genesis -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Bible -- N.T. Matthew -- Commentaries

Bible -- N.T. Matthew -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Faith development

Electronic Subscription Periodical Indexes (Databases)

+Catholic Periodical and Literature Index refers to scholarly and general interest articles on a wider variety of topics than does Religion Index: One. This index also includes citations to book reviews.

Available: On campus and remotely
Coverage: 1981 - present
Abstracts: No, citations and subject headings only
Full-text: No
Local Holdings Information: Yes

Academic Search Complete

indexes nearly 5,000 scholarly journals, as well as news and opinion magazines. Over 4,00 of the periodicals indexed include full-text or full-image. The database covers a broad range of topics, and reviews of books, concerts, films, and theater. Selected full-text articles from journals such as Catholic Biblical Quarterly, The Harvard Theological Review, Interpretation, and Modern Theology are included. This database is made available through the TexShare program. An important subset of this database is +Religion & Philosophy Collection, which contains articles from more than 300 full text periodicals, including more than 250 peer-reviewed journals focused on religion and philosophy.

Available: On campus and remotely.

Coverage: selectively, 1973 - present

Abstracts: Yes

Full-text: Selected full-image and/or full-text for more than 4,000 periodical titles

Local Holdings Information: Yes

Updated: monthly

Here is an example where a search is limited to items including full-text articles and to items from scholarly peer reviewed journals:

When searching for biblical commentaries or criticism in an electronic database or index, it is often most effective to perform a keyword or subject search as in these examples:

Bible and Genesis
Bible and Matthew

If you retrieve too many results, e.g., more than 50 citations, add another relevant term with "AND." For example:

Bible and Genesis and Noah
Bible and John and Cana

Because the library does not own every journal included in these indexes or databases, you will need to verify if the library has access to the specific periodical you seek.

To verify if we have access to a journal or periodical, see "Locating Journals (Magazines, & Newspapers in the Blume library)" for information about determining availability of a particular periodical issue. We have access to over 18,000 full-text periodical titles online, through our subscription (aggregator) databases.

If the results from your periodical title search indicate Blume Library Print Holdings, click on that link, which will connect you to a record for that periodical in our online library catalog. Check to see if we have the issue desired. This record will also indicate whether the issues is in paper or microform (fiche or film). You might also browse the list of Theology Periodicals available through the Blume Library (Excel file).
- Periodicals are shelved alphabetically on the library's basement (1st) floor. Print titles are located on the first floor of the library and are arranged alphabetically. There is a photocopier available on the first floor. Microfilm and microfiche are also located on the first floor and are located in film or fiche cabinets in the middle of the room. There are two copiers available for microform formats.

Ask a Reference librarian (210-436-3508) if you have any questions. If you email a librarian, be sure to identify whether you are a current St. Mary's student and be specific about your question, so we can provide helpful information; the more information you provide about your situation, the better able we are to answer your question.

If we do not not have a journal article you want, students and faculty may order it through Interlibrary Loan (ILL). Forms are available at Reference and Circulation as well as online. Be sure to allow time to receive the ordered items.

If the St. Mary's University libraries do not have access to a specific journal you need, you may also search the +WorldCat FirstSearch Catalog to determine which libraries in the area own the periodical containing the article you need.

Ask a Reference librarian (210-436-3508) if you have any questions!

Hint: Start your research early so you know if we have the articles you need!

Documenting Sources: Articles from journals and magazines
Cite the following information as you research. You will need this information for your bibliography.

Author(s)

Article Title

Journal or Periodical Title

Volume Number

Issue Number or Month or Date

Year

Page Numbers

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Go to Theological Foundations Resources

Indexes with a + (plus) preceding their name are available through that link only to St. Mary's students, faculty, and staff from off-campus, because of contractual restrictions from the vendors. For more information, read Restricted Databases Instructions.

For more information about some of the databases listed to the left, see the Louis J. Blume library Database Descriptions page.

in Journals and Magazines