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University of Texas University of Texas Libraries

AFR 320C: Power and Place in Making Texas History / Gordon

Find Scholarly Sources

Finding Scholarly Sources

What exactly are scholarly sources?

Scholarly sources are written by researchers or experts in a particular field. They use specialized vocabulary, have extensive citations, and are often peer-reviewed. As opposed to non-scholarly/popular sources like newspaper articles, blogs or websites. 

Find Scholarly Articles

To find scholarly articlessearch through the recommended databases below. If you aren't finding many results, try searching for all full-text articles available through UT Libraries through the library catalog. After you search using keywords, select "Peer-reviewed journals" on the left-hand side of the results page to display peer-reviewed articles. 

Find Scholarly Books

Also, consider consulting scholarly books. These types of scholarly sources are written for scholars/researchers in the author's field. To determine if it is scholarly, look for extensive citations, expert authors, and well-respected publishers (ex. a university press, government publication, or major publisher of academic books). For more info on how to generally find print books and ebooks in the library catalog, see the "Find Books" section below. 

Find Scholarly Articles

Screenshot showing a box around the main library search bar. A second box is drawn around the Articles & More link.

Start searching with the big search box on the library homepage.

  • It searches most but not all the library's resources and will show results across six different categories: Articles & More, Books & Media, Journals, Databases, Research Guides, and the Library Website.

A more targeted place to search is at the link for Articles & More beneath the search bar.

On the left toolbar in an Articles & More search, check these boxes for credible & relevant results: 

  • Peer-Reviewed Journals

If you want to narrow even more, try these options to filter:

  • Resource Type
  • Subject
  • Creation Date

Keep an eye on the number of your search results. Start browsing when you feel you have a manageable number of results to skim through. 

Find Books

Search for a Book

From the UT Libraries' homepagetype the book title or keyword you are searching for in the search box. You'll find results across many different library resources.

homepage search box

When your results load, select "Library Catalog" from the dropdown arrow to narrow your results to include books and media

Understanding your Results 

After searching, you need to look for four details:

Catalog record with details numbered

1. Is this book in print or is it electronic (an ebook that you can access online)?

2. If the book you want is a physical book, log into your account and look for the pick it up button. 

Location of the Pick it up button, under "get it" after you log in to your account.

3. Is the book AVAILABLE? If not, there will be a due date. Click the Pick it Up Button to request it and select the library location where you'd like to pick it up. Keep in mind that if there is a due date, it will take several days for the current borrower to return it. Wait for an email telling you your books are ready before you come get them!

4. Are you ready to check out? Either get the book off the shelf yourself, or click the Pick it Up button and a library staff member will get the book and bring it to the library location you selected to pick it up. Wait for an email telling you your books are ready before you come get them! It will take 1-2 business days.

Checking out Books

All you need is your UT ID!

Not all of our books are available online as ebooks. Here is how to limit your search to only books available online.

Remember that your keyword strategy will need to be broader because books cover broader topics than do articles.

These screenshots (you can open them in a new tab to enlarge) lead you from www.lib.utexas.edu

Step 1:

Use the Books and Media link under the search bar on www.lib.utexas.edu

 

Step 2:

On the next screen, enter your search terms.

 

Step 3:

oN the left side, you can limit to items available online

 

Step 4:

Under each result, there is a link Available Online. Click that.

Step 5:

every publisher link is differently named once you are in the full record

I really want this book, but it is checked out. Is there anything I can do?

Yes! If you would like to get a hold of a book that has been checked out, you can request the book. The library will then change the due date so that the current borrower has to return it earlier. To request a book, go to the library catalog, click the pick it up button, log in with your UT EID, and then request the book. You can learn more about this feature here.

Pick it up?

Pick it up is a service that allows you to request your book to be retrieved from the shelf and be delivered to the UT library of your choice. It will take an estimated 3-5 days for your book to be retrieved. You can learn more about it here.

 

Need a more advanced search?

If you need more options to search, you can click on the Books & Media option on the Libraries home page and choose Advanced Search.

 

LIB USE ONLY? 

LIB USE ONLY means library use only. When a book has this label under its current status, you can only access and read the book at its library location. 

 

I checked out a book, and I am not ready to return it. What can I do?

You can renew it! You can renew your book at any library location or online, through My Account.  To access your account, click on My Accounts, located on the upper right-hand corner of the screen on the library home page.

 

I can't find the book that I need. What can I do?

If the UT Libraries doesn't have a book you need, you can request it through InterLibrary Loan. The service is free and unlimited. Click on the link below to create an account and request a loan.

Article Not Available Online?

If we don't have a book or article you need, we can still get it for you through Interlibrary Services.  

To request a scan of a scholarly article, newspaper article or book chapter, use our Get scan service to have a PDF scan emailed to you within 1-3 business days.

How much is it?  Its free!

How many times can you do this?  There is no limit to the number of individual requests you can make. However, you can only request up to 3 chapters from one book. 

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