Although the databases we are referring to here are primarily for finding journal articles, keep in mind that many of them will provide access to other materials (books, book chapters, dissertations, conference proceedings, etc.).

Most topics fall into 3 major categories of knowledge: sciences, social sciences, humanities. The library's "Find Databases A-Z" page, which provides the tools for finding journal articles and other materials, breaks these disciplines down further, based on the disciplines taught at ODU.

Selecting one of these categories will help you find the database/s that most fit your needs. For some topics, you may want to look in more than one category or use a multidisciplinary database. A topic within criminal justice, for example, would fall under Social Sciences. But it may also involve Psychology (criminal behavior) or Education (juvenile delinquents and school). In this case it becomes an interdisciplinary topic.

NOTE: It is important to note that the databases listed by subject under "Find Databases A-Z" will include all of the databases the library subscribes to, not just the journal databases.

If you are looking for journal articles only, you should select the Subject Guides link on the Library's web site. The subject guide for your topic will help you to identify the best databases for finding articles in your research area.

Click here to find a Subject Guide in your major.