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Use this guide to learn about the research process and plan your research project.

Welcome to the Research Planning Guide

How to Read a Citation

When you search a database, your results are displayed as a list of citations.  A journal article citation contains the information you need to locate the article. This citation contains the information you need for your bibliography.

The "Source" is the title of the journal, magazine, or other publication that contains the article.  If the article is not available in full text, it won't have any PDF or HTML links. 

  • What can you do if the article you want is not available online?
  1. If DBU doesn't own the journal, request the article through Interlibrary Loan.
  2. Search other DBU databases. Note: even though the journal is available, it might not be available for the date or issue you need, and access to the article may not be available in full text. But this will give you a place to start.
  3. Search the DBU catalog to find out if we have a physical copy in the library.
    • If we do have your article in print, you can make a copy or scan to email for free on the second floor of the library. If you are a distance student you can ask us to email you a copy (for more information, visit our Distance Learners Library Guide).