LibGuides: FTS: Fast Food and Politics: Finding Articles

Tips for Finding Articles

Searching

To find articles, use the library-provided databases in the box to the right. Use search terms that match your topic but don't get stuck only using one or two terms. Also, be aware that the databases don't like phrases. Searching "covid" and "teacher burnout" in two separate search boxes will yield better results that typing "the effects of the Covid pandemic on teacher burnout." Use the Search Tips tab at the top of this guide for addition ideas about conducting research.

Sources

Pay attention to the kinds of sources you're finding in the databases. Different sources serve different purposes and audiences:

Newspapers are good for very specific news items or recent events.
Magazine articles reflect a popular approach to issues and are often short and simple in style.
Articles in academic journals report on research and are sometimes quite long and complex. Concentrate on the abstract (a one-paragraph summary that sometimes is at the beginning of the article), the introduction, and the last paragraphs.

Full Text

When articles are not available as PDF or HTML files, there's a yellow "find it!" button that will search for the article in other databases or offer you a chance to get a copy from another library, a process that usually takes a day or two and is FREE for you. Consult the Tracking Down Materials tab for more information.

Finding Articles

To find articles, try these databases, which will connect you with all kinds of sources. You will probably find a lot of information (but sometimes you find no information!). Be persistent, try various search terms, and above all, ask for help if you're stuck. Send me an email with any questions or to set up a time to meet.

Academic Search Premier This link opens in a new window
This database contains information on just about any subject. It has academic articles as well as articles written for a general audience (nonscholarly sources). This is a great place to start. The database will tell you what kind of source you are reading, so be sure to pay attention to that information.
CQ Researcher Online This link opens in a new window
CQ Researcher contains reports and analysis on a variety of topics. For this class, search "Fast Food" (in quotations) to locate the 2019 report "Fast Food Shakeout." The report contains a wealth of information on various issues in the fast food industry.
ERIC This link opens in a new window
If you're exploring school lunches, try this database, which contains a wealth of information on topics related to education. If your topic does not involve K-12 or higher education, you can skip it.
Points of View Reference Center This link opens in a new window
This full-text database provides essays that present multiple sides of various current issue. Search "fast food" (with quotations) to find information. Pay attention to the kind of sources you find.
Sage Premier This link opens in a new window
Sage contains a lot of scholarly articles in fields like sociology and political science; use it if your topic is exploring some of the social impacts of fast food.
US Newsstream This link opens in a new window
This database contains the full text of over 350 newspapers from around the world and is updated daily. Use this database to find newspaper articles. (Note that it does not contain scholarly sources.)