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CHEM 4340: Biochemistry II

Where to find primary literature

These are the best databases for finding primary literature in chemistry.

Tips:

  • First, you must register for an account here.

  • In reference search, focus on specific document types more likely to be primary sources. On the search results page, select clinical trial, conference, journal, and report from the left-hand tool bar.

    • Note: Select each limiter (e.g. clinical trial or conference) one at a time and wait for the results to reload before choosing another limiter.

  • On the search results page, the Sort by options can be helpful. Select Publication Year: Newest to get the most recent articles at the top of the list. Select Times Cited to get the most cited articles at the top of the list.

  • Read the abstract for descriptions that indicate the article is a primary source.

  • SciFinder-n Scholar is not a full-text database. It does not include article PDFs. Use the Full Text button to help find full text. See below in another box for more information.

Tips:

  • Focus on publications more likely to be primary sources. On the search results page, find the Article Type option on the left, then select Research Article.
  • If you have a lot of results, try the Publication Date options on the left to focus your search.
  • Click an article title to read the complete abstract. Look for descriptions that indicate the article is a primary source.

Tips:

  • Scopus is not just a chemistry database. In the search results, use the Subject Area option on the left to focus results to Chemistry journals.
  • Focus on publications more likely to be primary sources. On the search results page, find the Document Type option on the left, then select Article and Conference Paper.
  • Find the articles on your topic that have been cited the most. Use the Sort By option to select Cited By (Highest).
  • Click the View Abstract link to read the complete abstract. Look for descriptions that indicate the article is a primary source.
  • Scopus is not a full-text database. It does not include article PDFs. Use the View at Publisher and LinkSource links on the research results page to find full text. See below in another box for more information.

Finding PDFs from SciFinder and Scopus

SciFinder-n and Scopus are not full-text databases. Neither includes article PDFs for download. They do, however, link to the library's Full Text Finder to help you find the articles.

In SciFinder, click the Full Text button found on the search results page under each article title and select Trinity U. Library. In Scopus, click the LinkSource button found on the research results page under each article title.

The Full Text Finder will list options for getting the PDF of an article. The example below shows every option. Not all options will be available for every article. These are the options you want to look for:

  1. Resources Located for this Citation. These will be links to the library's subscriptions available in databases or the publisher's website. The links should go directly to the article you need.
  2. Open Access. This searches for the article in free Open Access databases. Success depends on availability.
  3. Document Delivery. These are pay-per-download options. The library will cover the download cost for you. Please use only as needed.
  4. Request via Interlibrary Loan. Even if none of the above options are available, this will be. We can always request scans of articles from other libraries.