How can I find the full text of an article in a database? (2024)

FAQs

How can I find the full text of an article in a database? ›

Most library databases link to the full text of an article as a PDF for other full text link options. If there is only an abstract or summary of an article in one of the library's article databases, click on the PDF or "Online full text" options to read, download, or print the article.

Hold the Ctrl keyboard key and press the F keyboard key (Ctrl+F) or right-click (click the right mouse button) somewhere on the article and select Find (in this article).

Searching an article database will yield three different types of results. At times, one will encounter full text articles, which are articles that one can either print out or read online in their entirety. Sometimes one will find article abstracts. Abstracts are typically one paragraph summaries of the entire article.

You can find full text articles by using the Search Collections box on the library home page or our library databases. Full text is typically available online either in PDF or web (HTML) format. Let's say your professor has suggested you read a specific article for class or a project.

PubMed Overview

The PubMed database contains more than 37 million citations and abstracts of biomedical literature. It does not include full text journal articles; however, links to the full text are often present when available from other sources, such as the publisher's website or PubMed Central (PMC).

By selecting the Free Full Text option, only results containing 'free full text' articles will be shown (i.e., citations which don't require a subscription to access the full article). Note that this is likely to reduce the number of results.

Full-text refers to the entire text of an article, instead of an abstract or short summary.

Where can I find full text peer-reviewed articles? ›

Library databases such as CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, or Social Sciences Full Text are the best places to locate peer-reviewed articles. Most databases provide a limiter or check-off box that allows you to limit your results to peer-reviewed journals.

Try Command+F or Control+F keyboard shortcuts

On most web pages, word processors, and other programs, you can use the keyboard shortcut Command + F on a Mac, or Control + F on Windows to find what you need.

Search for the journal title. DO NOT search for the article title. If the library subscribes to the journal, then you will see links to databases and/or publishers which contain full text articles with a specific date range. Check the date of your citation against the date of the subscription.

Search-engine databases can handle full-text search faster than relational databases. For example, an e-commerce website can use search-engine databases to provide instant autocompletes or suggestions for its customers.

Some well-known examples of full-text databases include PubMed Central, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses.

Full-text refers to the entire text of an article, instead of an abstract or short summary.

Press Ctrl + G or Ctrl + Shift + G .