Learning Strategies for Success: Find Articles

The Discovery Search box on the CSU library homepage is a great place to begin your research. This Search All box searches most of the library's databases all at once. 

These databases listed below are good starting points. For a complete list of databases, click the Databases button on the CSU Library homepage.

• ABI/INFORM Collection
• Academic Search Ultimate
•  Academic OneFile
• Business Source Ultimate
• General OneFile

Accessing the databases listed on this guide require you to first be logged in to the myCSU.

• Ensure that you are logged in to myCSU
• Click on the desired database link, which should immediately direct you to the database interface.
• If you have any questions, contact us 24 hours per day through our live Chat Service

1.) Use keywords or key phrases instead of long sentences or the entire assignment instructions. 

Example Assignment Prompt: Write an essay about the benefits of organic farming 

Keywords/Key Phrases:

• "organic farming" 
• benefits 

Note: When using key phrases, place quotation marks around the phrases to search them as an exact unit of information. 

2.) Use Boolean Operators to break up your search. 

• AND - Limits your search (fewer results) by combining search terms 
• OR - Expands your search (more results) by including related terms 

To search library databases, try different keywords/short phrases. To phrase search, place phrases inside quotation marks or parentheses. This tells the database to search the phrase as a unit. 

For example:

"learning styles" 

(learning styles) 

• APA Resources
• How to Do Research
• What Kind of Article Do I Need?
• Video Tutorials 
• Scholarly vs. Trade Publications 

Having trouble accessing library resources? Refer to our Tech Tips or contact CSU HelpDesk Support at 877-399-1063 or via chat in your myCSU Student Portal.