Characteristics of Journal Articles

・A search using article database is effective
・OPAC cannot search for articles
・Journals are available in paper format and as electronic media
・Some articles have been published on the web.
......, etc.
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1. What are Journal (Academic) Articles?
An academic article is a research achievement that is published by researchers.
Many of them are published as articles in an academic journal and so they areoften called “Journal Articles”. Articles fall under the following categories.

• Original Paper (Full paper)

An original paper is written in detail about a research achievement thathas originality and novelty. It is often peer-reviewed.

• Research Note

A research note is a brief report about new facts discovered during theresearch process. This has immediacy.

• LetterA brief letter about the latest information of a research project.
This has immediacy too.

• Review

A review summarizes the research achievements and trends regarding a
specific field. Some of them indicate future tasks and developments.

2. Searching for Journal Articles
You cannot search for specific journal articles using OPAC, because they areclassified as chapters within journals. In order to search for journal articles,
you need to search article databases.

e.g.) Nishizuka, Y. “Studies and Perspectives of Protein-kinase-c. “

Science. 233, no. 4761, (1986) p.305-312.

Article information

Journal information

Journalinformation

Journal
ArticlesJournal title
Publisher
ISSN, etc.

It can be foundby OPAC

Articleinformation

It cannot be found byOPAC
You need to search
article databases

Article title
Author nameVolume, etc.

3. What is Article Database?
An article database is a tool that collects, arranges and stores information
about articles. By using a database, you can effectively search for information
about articles you need for your research.
Searching for specific article

Information is complete
Article title
Author name
Journal title
Volume, issue
Year, pages

ObtainInformation is incomplete
Searching by theme

Searching by author name
Searching by journal title

Search for article information
using databases(Full-text may be available)

4. Types of Article Databases
Kobe University has access to various databases. You need to select an appropriate
database in order to search for articles effectively.

Examples of Article Databases (Search Tools)
Web of Science

JDreamIII

Google Scholar

Objects

English-language
articles published inhigh-quality journals.

Articles about science
technology / medicine/ pharmacy.

Academic documentsthat can be found onGoogle.

Range

Science: 1900～
Soc. Sci.: 1900～
Art & Hum.: 1975～

JSTPlus: 1981～

Feature(Range values for eachDB)• You can also find• Search assist
articles that cite orfunctions areare cited by an
substantial (e.g.,
article you search for.
Thesaurus search).
• This DB provides
Impact Factor.

-• You can explore
related works,citations andpublications

5. How to Access Databases
When you access a database, please click “Databases” link on the library top page.
Databases can be narrowed down using the right side bar in “List of Databases”
page.
Library Website
https://lib.kobe-u.ac.jp/en/

A detailed information
screen is displayedwhen you select adatabase.
You can accessdatabases by clicking“データベース名 /Database”.
You can also see
descriptions andmanuals in thedetailed information
screen.

6. Tips for Searching Articles
You will perform a search more effectively if you utilize useful search functions(e.g. boolean operations, narrowing functions or specifying search fields).
e.g.) Web of Science Core Collection❶ Specifying Search Fields
You can restrict objects by specifyingsearch fields.

1❷ Timespan
Published year or term are set.

32

❸ Boolean Operations
AND

Results that include both A and B are found.

OR

Results that include at least A or B are found.

NOT

Results that include A but not B are found.

7. How to Obtain Journal Articles
After you search for information about articles, you need to obtain their text.
It is effective to search for them in the following order.

Step 1: Search for e-resources.
① Search article DBs and find links to full-text.
② Search for e-journals using OPAC or E-Resource List.
I did not findthe e-resources……

Step 2: Obtain journals at Kobe Univ. Library.
Search for journals using OPAC and check their volumes.
* You should apply for ILL service if the journals are held at a remote library.
I did not find the journal inKobe Univ. Library.

Step 3: Use resources held at other institutes (ILL)
With ILL, you can obtain copies of articles from other libraries (for a fee).

8. How to Search for E-Journals
E-journals can be searched for using OPAC. Before clicking “JOURNAL”,
you should confirm available range from “Volumes”.

If you select “E-Journal” as “Document Type”
on the advanced search, only e-journals canbe found.
When you want to search for all journal types,
you should check the “Journals” box.

By clicking the ”URL” icon,
you can access the provider’s site.

9. How to Search for Journals
You need to confirm the available volumes before accessing journals.
When you search for journals with very short titles, it is effective to select“Journal” as “Document Type” and “Full Title” from pull-down menu.

About Volumes
・The numbers outside parentheses are volumes, inside them are issues.
・A hyphen means that the library has held all volumes between hyphens.
・A comma means that the library has not held certain volumes.
・When any issue has not been held, there is nothing inside parentheses.
・Plus means that the library is subscribing to the journal.
e.g.) 5(1-3, 7-12), 7-8, 9()⇒ Library has issue 1 to 3 and 7 to 12 of volume 5, all issues of volume 7 and 8 andvolume 9, but not issue 4 to 6 of volume 5, volume 6 and a part of volume 9.

10. How to Search for Journals
Periodicals’ locations often differ between current issues and back numbers.
You need to confirm their detailed location after checking their volumes and library.

Floor map will be displayed
after clicking library name.

11. ILL Application
Articles that cannot be accessed online or at Kobe University can be obtainedby ordering copies from other institutes’ libraries (ILL). This service is charged.
* Some articles cannot be ordered due to copyrights or their condition.

When you want to apply for ILL service, please
fill in the application form from “LibraryAccount”. Please confirm that the document
cannot be accessed at Kobe University,“contact address” and “Contents of Request”
before you send the application form.
If you apply for ILL service from “Find it”
Kobe Univ.”, a part of the application form isentered automatically.

12. Visiting Other Libraries
You can also visit other institutes’ libraries and use their holdings.
Please consult your library staff before your visit because a letter of introduction
is required when you use other institutes’ libraries.
By using “CiNii Books”, you can find holdings libraries.

CiNii Books
https://ci.nii.ac.jp/books/“CiNii Books” is a database for searchinglibrary holdings in Japan. Libraries are listed
in Japanese syllabary order. You can narrow
down the library list by area or prefecture.

13. Find it! Kobe Univ.
If you find this icon on the database screen, please click it.
You can search for available e-journals, Kobe University Library holdings andother information at the same time. ILL application can also be sent.

Step 1: Access full-textof e-format
Step 2: Find Kobe Univ.
Library holdings*You can also search CiNii Books

Step 3: Use other libraries’
holdings (ILL)14. Discovery SearchDiscovery enables you to search for available books, periodicals, articles ande-resources. You can also search for materials only viewable at Kobe University.

You can refine thesearch results byavailability, resourcetypes, subjects and soon.
You can access pages
that provide the fulltext by clicking on“Full text available”.

15. On-Campus Limited E-Resources
The databases and e-journals that Kobe University has subscribed to arelimited access. However, you can access them from off-campus networks byusing “VPN Connection Service” or “GakuNin”.

Please ask a member of Information Science andTechnology Center staff or Library staff when you want touse “VPN Connection Service” or “GakuNin”.
https://www.istc.kobe-u.ac.jp/services/StandardService/VPN/(Japanese text only)