Finding articles on your topic is a 3-step process.  If you are looking for a specific article, see step 3.

1.  Identify a database. 

• Article databases index thousands of journals within a certain subject area by the author, title and subject of each article.   
• To find the right database, browse Vera's 'Databases by Subject' category to see librarians' recommendations in our Research Guides.   See Connect from on and off-campus for help.
• Or use Vera's multi-search (in Find articles on your topic) to query several databases at once in broad subject categories (use Interdisciplinary if you're not sure which subject area to choose):   

 2.  Search the database. See Database Search Tips

• Use important keywords or subject words that describe your topic. 
• Scan your results to identify citations that seem relevant or interesting.

3.  Get the full text of the article. 

• In some databases you can link to the full text directly or via SFX. 
• If the database you're searching has an SFX button  or "Get this - MIT" link, click it.  Other options for getting to the full text of an article include:
  • Use the SFX Full Text Finder.  This software lets you enter a citation to see if MIT has online access to that article.
  • Search Barton: the MIT Libraries catalog to see if MIT owns the journal either in print or online.
  • Vera lists journals that are available online, but not those in print format.  Search Vera by keyword for the journal title you need.
• Be aware:  some online/electronic resources are only available in Vera, and some are only in Barton, so search both to be comprehensive.