Definition: Periodicals or serials are items published on a continuous regular basis. These include but are not limited to newspapers, magazines, and journals. Journals may be referred to as scholarly peer reviewed or refereed publications.

To identify articles from periodical literature, there are four steps:

1. Establish keywords for searching.
2. Choose an appropriate database (need help? Choose a Research by Topic Guide).
3. Select the desired citation(s).
4. Use the Magazines & Journals List to determine availability.

Many articles may be available full text online. The library subscribes to a number of full text databases. If the article is NOT full text in the particular database you are currently searching, use the Magazines & Journals List to search by the name of the periodical, commonly called the SOURCE by many databases. If for example you are looking for the Journal of Wildlife Management, enter the journal name in the “find” box of the Magazines & Journals List. Two records are displayed. The first record indicates a call number by which the journal may be located in the library. The second record indicates three full text databases from which articles may be retrieved online within the date ranges listed. To retrieve articles, click on the database link and choose the appropriate year, volume, issue and page numbers of the desired article.

For detailed instructions, take the Magazines & Journals List Tutorial

Not available online? No problem! Request delivery of articles via ILLiad Distance Request Logon.

Contact Information: Hilton M. Briggs Library, SBL 2115, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007-1098,  Phone: 605-688-5570, Fax: 605-688-6133, Email Us  Updated: 13 May 2008 by ch