Scholarly research (also called academic or peer-reviewed research) is created by researchers and scientists, for an audience of other researchers and scientists. Before articles can be published, they have to pass a rigorous review process conducted by subject experts. Scholarly research will show you "behind the scenes" of what you will find in the industry research by explaining how various technologies work, how standards are developed, and so on.
Before you start searching for articles, think of your specific research question and the main ideas you plan to write about. This will help you identify search terms to use in the databases and make your search process more efficient.
Once you've identified the main ideas you plan to research, combine your search terms using AND to create a search string you can use in a database. Make sure that phrases have quotation marks. For example:
Whether you're searching using OneSearch or another library database, there are certain strategies you can use to ensure you find the kind of information for which you're looking. When you use search engines like Google, you're able to type in whole questions or phrases. Library databases, however, are much more specific.
First, we select the main search terms that relate to our topic. The database works best with nouns. Eliminate any articles (of, to, is, the), adjectives (best, worst, good, bad), and most verbs (affect, change, alter, support).
Quotation marks are used to tell databases to search for words in a certain order. This is especially useful for specific topics that can't be boiled down to a single word.
This is also helpful when searching for the title of a specific source!
We then connect our search terms. This is what we'll actually type into a database search box. Search strings work best when they're limited to no more than four search terms—otherwise, your search will be too narrow!
When you connect your search terms using AND, the database will search for books, articles, and more that contain all your search terms. Search strings using AND narrow our search.
Search Strings Using OR and Parentheses
Search strings using OR help us expand our search and find more results. Often, OR is used in conjunction with parentheses. OR on its own can often bring back too many results, so the parentheses help keep the database from bringing up off-topic resources:
Search Strings Using NOT
You may want to exclude certain concepts from your research. This can be done using the word NOT. Search strings using NOT help us narrow our search and find results that are more relevant to our topic.
If you're struggling with your searches, please contact a librarian!
Use the following databases to find articles about aviation. Remember that not all articles you find in these databases will be scholarly, peer-reviewed articles.
Partially peer reviewed. Some full-text content.
This database focuses on science engineering and technology, including computer science and security, robotics, chemistry, geology and earth science, waste management, space science, and oceanography. Includes journals, articles, and magazines.
Peer reviewed. Some full-text content.
Focuses on the life sciences, physical sciences, medical sciences, and technology, with access to scientific, technical, and medical research. Includes journal articles, book chapters, and publications.
Partially peer reviewed. Some full-text content.
Explores today's most significant science topics and showcases scientific disciplines that relate to real-world issues. Includes articles and more.
Peer reviewed. No full-text content. Statistical & research data.
This interdisciplinary database focuses on scientific and academic research. Provides bibliographic and citation information for journal articles.
Use the following publications to either search for articles in your research or to keep up with the field of aviation—or both! Once you click on a link, you'll arrive at the landing page for the publication. Click on one of the links under full text access to see issues of or articles from the publication.
Non-peer reviewed. Full-text content.
This database encompasses the field of aviation. Includes twelve publications that feature proprietary data, analytics, forecasting tools, consulting services, industry training, and marketing services and advertising.
Google Scholar searches for full-text articles in the UVU Fulton Library and peer-reviewed articles, theses, books, abstracts, and preprint articles posted on the web. Google Scholar is a simple way to broadly search for scholarly literature and is a good source to search in addition to the library databases.