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School of Architecture and the Built Environment

Library Website

Image of the Library search box

Use the Library website to search across multiple databases:

BrowZine

Recommended database resources

Process for finding out if we have a journal in full-text

If you have details of an article from a journal and you are not sure how to get the full-text:

Step
one
Check to see if we have the electronic version of a journal article on the Electronic Journals page (under the 'Find' menu on the Library website)

Step
two

If it isn't available electronically, see if we have it in print by doing a 'book search' on the Library website at https://library.lincoln.ac.uk (you can also narrow down by periodical/serial) - then go to the 3rd floor of the Library, locate and photocopy or scan the article you need.
Step three If it isn't available electronically or in print, request it via the Interlibrary loans service at https://guides.library.lincoln.ac.uk/find/ills

 

Database searching tips

1. Identify main concepts and keywords. Search the main concepts first, then limit further as necessary. 

2. Find Synonyms (Boolean OR broadens the search to include alternative keywords or subject thesaurus terms):

  • sustainability OR eco-friendly

3. AND (joins concepts and narrows the search)  :

  •  design AND sustainability
  • sustainability AND (architecture OR built environment)

4. Be aware of differences in American and English spelling and terminology. Most databases use American spelling and terminology as preferred subject terms.

5. Use Truncation (putting * at the end of a word stem will search all forms of the word). * within a word can be used to search both American and English spelling:

  • sustain* (sustainable, sustainability)
  • design* (design, designer, designed)
  • behav* (behaviour, behavior, behave, behaving

6. "...." (inverted commas) use for a phrase

  • "built environment"
  • "urban architecture"

Saving searches

Many databases allow you to set up an account and save searches.   

  • Save searches and/or references to your own personalised folder(s) to revisit at a later date
  • Create email alerts and/or RSS feeds to keep up to date with the latest journal literature
  • Save references and organise your research in personalised folders
  • Bookmark or share your research with others