Using databases

There are two main types of database that should be noted: an indexing database and a full-text database.

  • An indexing database (e.g. Scopus) will only contain abstracts and bibliographic information for each article. To get the full text, you will need to use the "FindIt@Sussex" button to see if the Library has access to that article.
  • A full-text database (e.g. JSTOR) will contain the complete text of each article for online viewing, printing or downloading. JSTOR and IEEE Xplore are examples of full-text databases.

The Subject Resources page on the Library's website has a list of databases (as well as other resources) that can be helpful in a particular subject area.

  • Scopus is a large indexing database of research literature. It covers peer-reviewed scientific, technical, medical and social science literature and web sources.

    For more information on the range of material that Scopus covers, visit the Scopus Information page.

    Scopus does not provide the full-text of articles that it indexes. However, using the Electronic Library, you can check to see if you can access the full-text.

    The following video demonstrates how to use Scopus in conjunction with the Electronic Library.

    scopus

    Transcript of the Video (Word File)

Web of Science

  • Web of Science, also known as the ISI Web of Knowledge, is an indexing database which searches the Science Citation Index (SCI), the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), and the Arts & Humanities Citation Index (A&HCI).

    Web of Science does not provide the full-text of articles that it indexes. However, you can see if the Library has access to the full-text using the Electronic Library.

    The following video demonstrates how to use Web of Science along with the Electronic Library.

    web of Science

    Transcript of the Video (Word File)

IEEE Xplore

  • IEEE Xplore provides access to the full-text of IEEE journals, transactions, letters, magazines, IET journals, conference proceedings, IEEE Standards and IEEE educational courses.

    The following video demonstrates how to use IEEE effectively.

    IEEE

    Transcript of the Video (Word File)

JSTOR

  • JSTOR is an online database which provides the full-text of back issues of several hundred well-known journals.

    The following video shows how to use JSTOR effectively.

    JSTOR

    Transcript of the Video (Word File)