UCSB Library Article Databases
Our research databases are excellent tools to use when searching for scholarly articles. Here are the basic steps:
1. Decide which database to use. You can browse a list of the Library's databases organized alphabetically, by subject, or by type.
2. I've listed a few excellent databases to start with in the "Recommended Article Databases" tab at left, but because your topics cover multiple subjects you will want to explore others as well.
3. Always use the Advanced Search option.
4. Databases don't like full sentences! Build your search using a few words that best describe the main concepts of your topic. These are your "keywords."
4. Select whichever filters are appropriate. You may need to select "peer-reviewed" or "academic articles" in the left margin.
6. Do not select "full text" as one of the filters because this will severely limit your results. Instead, see #7 below.
7. If the full text of an article is not available in the database itself, use the 
link. This will take you to the article on another platform or will offer you an option to order a scanned copy through Interlibrary Loan (ILL).
8. Most article databases allow you to save, email, cite, download, or export citations or full articles.
Sugar plantation c.1850s
Public domain image. Source: NYPL Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture