Assignment | Oceanography : Finding Information

LSC Libraries offer dozens of databases covering all of the major disciplines. You can search for a database by subject, or enter a specific database through our alphabetical list.

• Some databases contain only peer-reviewed (scholarly) articles.
• Many databases contain scholarly journal articles as well as popular articles from magazines and newspapers.
• Some databases are subject-specific and others are multidisciplinary
• Choosing the right databases and the right types of articles is a learned skill and, if you have questions, we can show you how. 

Regardless of the type of information, the issue of credibility is paramount.  How do we determine if information is credible? Evaluate by asking questions as you examine the source regarding the purpose, currency, accuracy and expertise of the source. Check out the  Evaluate Information  box  to see how we do it. 

On this page is a hyperlinked listing of recommended databases. Academic Search Complete is wide in subject coverage and information types. ASC allows researchers to limit search results by scholarly or peer-reviewed only. Scholarly content is published in journals directly from scholars and researchers following a peer-review and editorial process. Depending on the database, you may see scholarly articles referred to as "peer-reviewed" or "referred". Many open access sources found on the internet have no guarantee that peer reviews have occurred. We have evaluated a list of open access resources in the   Finding Information   box. These reputable sources were selected to give you a wider scope for your information search. If you have any doubt about an article, keep looking or consult with your librarian or instructor.  

Sometimes Google Scholar can help you access scholarly content. Be careful if you decide to use this resource. The guide that is hyperlinked will show you how to use Google Scholar to tap into accessible sources inside Google Scholar.