These databases index many types of sources, including journal articles, books, papers and documents. Read each description below for more information.
When searching a database, you should consider the types of materials you find and the purpose you will use it for (see the box "Consider the Source" on the right.)
See the tab above "Get Full Text" for help in obtaining the items you identify in the databases below.
When searching databases, remember these tips:
1. Start Simple
2. Look at Subject words of a relevant citation. Use those words to find more relevant articles.
3. Use bibliographies!
4. Limit to peer-reviewed materials
5. Limit by date
6. Revise, revise, revise!
7. Combine the anatomy word with one of these: Injury or Injuries; Surgery; Sports; Athletes; Prevention; Rehabilitation
8. Mark the good citations and export to RefWorks
It is important to consider the type of publication you are using for research.
Scholarly Journals report on research in a particular discipline. The articles are peer-reviewed by other scholars to verify accuracy and validity. Example: Journal of Sport and Social Issues
Trade Journals provide information of use to a field/industry, and is usually not research- based. The articles are not peer-reviewed. Contents include tips and tools for practitioners and innovations in a field. Example: American Fitness
Popular Journals/Magazines usually focus on current topics for a general reader and are not research-based. Examples: Prevention and Newsweek
News sources are generally unbiased accounts of current events. Example: The New York Times
ERIC Documents include unpublished papers, association reports and government-published materials. Analyze these materials on a case-by-case basis for validity (be sure to check authorship) depending on your research purpose. Example: Eight-Year Trends in Federal Graduation Rates and Graduation Success Rates at NCAA Division I Institutions
Government Documents are primary source materials authored by various governmental agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency or the Department of Education. Example: What Is the Status of High School Athletes 8 Years after Their Senior Year?