Library Search and all databases—for example Criminal Justice Database or PsychINFO—will present you with journal articles for your essays and assignments.
But you might sometimes want to browse the journals from which the articles came. In other words, you want to see the journal titles that the library has available for you.
The easiest way to do this is to use BrowZine. This is a list of all the journal titles to which the library gives you some kind of access (see below for more about this). Click the image below or follow this link to see Criminology and Policing journal titles in BrowZine.
There are also subheadings for topics such as forensic science, juvenile justice, victims and victimology etc. You may also want to browse other categories such as Psychology or Sociology for journals in related areas.
IMPORTANT NOTE: BrowZine will list all the journal titles that the library provides, but a specific journal may have been publishing for years. This means that it is not always financially possible for the library to provide 'all' the content of a particular journal title.
The key thing to look out for is a padlock symbol next to a particular year/volume of the journal. If you see a padlock, it means that the library does not provide access to this particular journal year/issue—but other years/issues will be available because the title is on BrowZine. It will make more sense when you start to use it!
Imagine you're attending a conference where the top experts in your field are presenting their latest findings. Journal articles are essentially the written versions of these presentations, meticulously crafted and reviewed by other experts to ensure quality and accuracy.
What are Journal Articles?
Journal articles are scholarly publications that present original research, analyses, or reviews within a specific field of study. They are typically published in academic journals, which are specialised periodicals focusing on a particular subject area.
Why Journal Articles Matter at University:
Access to Cutting-Edge Research: Journals are the primary way new research and discoveries are disseminated in academia. By reading journal articles, you stay abreast of the latest developments, theories, and debates in your field.
Credible and Reliable Information: Journal articles undergo a rigorous peer-review process, where experts in the field evaluate the research for quality, validity, and significance. This ensures that the information is reliable and meets high academic standards.
Building Blocks for Your Own Work: Journal articles provide the foundation for your own research and academic writing. They offer valuable insights, methodologies, and evidence that you can draw upon in your own studies.
Developing Critical Thinking Skills: Engaging with journal articles helps you develop critical thinking skills by analyzing complex arguments, evaluating evidence, and synthesising different perspectives.
Essential for Academic Success: Many university assignments, such as essays, research papers, and dissertations, require you to demonstrate your ability to find, evaluate, and incorporate scholarly sources like journal articles into your work.
In the Field of Criminology and Policing:
Journal articles are particularly important for criminology and policing students as they offer:
By understanding the importance of journal articles and learning how to effectively use them, you equip yourself with essential tools for academic success and a fulfilling career in criminology and policing.
