Where can you find evidence to inform your thoughts and scholarly writing? Throughout your degree program, you will use research literature to explore ideas, guide your thinking, and gain new insights. As you search the research literature, it is important to use resources that are peer-reviewed and from scholarly journals. You may already have some favorite online resources and databases that you use or have found useful in the past. For this Discussion, you explore databases available through the Walden Library.
Introduction
When engaging in scholarly writing, it is crucial to support one’s thoughts and arguments with evidence from research literature. Scholarly writing involves the use of peer-reviewed and scholarly journal articles as sources of evidence. This discussion explores the databases available through the Walden Library, which provide a rich source of scholarly literature.
Peer-Reviewed and Scholarly Journals
Before exploring the databases available through the Walden Library, it is important to understand the significance of using peer-reviewed and scholarly journals as sources of evidence. Peer-reviewed articles undergo a rigorous review process by experts in the field, ensuring the reliability and quality of the information presented. This promotes the credibility of the research and enhances the validity of arguments based on the findings. In contrast, non-peer-reviewed sources may lack the same level of scrutiny and may be less reliable for scholarly writing purposes.
Walden Library Databases
The Walden Library provides access to a variety of databases that house a vast selection of scholarly literature. These databases are specifically designed for academic research, ensuring the sources found within them are reliable and relevant. Some of the key databases available through the Walden Library are:
1. ProQuest Research Library: ProQuest Research Library is a multidisciplinary database that covers a wide range of subjects, making it a valuable resource for students with diverse research interests. It provides access to thousands of full-text articles, including peer-reviewed journals, magazines, newspapers, and trade publications. ProQuest Research Library is an excellent starting point for conducting a comprehensive literature search.
2. PsycINFO: PsycINFO is a specialized database that focuses on the field of psychology and related disciplines. It includes articles from peer-reviewed journals, dissertations, conference proceedings, and book chapters. PsycINFO is an essential resource for psychology students and researchers, as it covers a breadth of psychological topics.
3. PubMed: PubMed is a database maintained by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and focuses on the field of biomedicine. It contains references from various sources, such as MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. PubMed is a valuable resource for students and researchers interested in medical and health sciences.
4. ERIC: The Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) is a database specifically designed for education-related research. It provides access to scholarly journals, reports, and other educational materials. ERIC is an indispensable resource for students and researchers in the field of education.
5. Business Source Complete: Business Source Complete is a comprehensive database for business research. It includes scholarly and trade publications covering various business disciplines, such as management, marketing, accounting, and finance. Business Source Complete is a valuable resource for students and researchers in business administration.
6. Sociological Abstracts: Sociological Abstracts is a database that focuses on the field of sociology and related disciplines. It indexes and abstracts articles from peer-reviewed journals, conference papers, books, and dissertations. Sociological Abstracts is an essential resource for students and researchers interested in sociological research and theory.
7. Criminal Justice Abstracts: Criminal Justice Abstracts is a database that focuses on the field of criminology and criminal justice. It provides access to articles from scholarly journals, books, reports, and government documents. Criminal Justice Abstracts is a valuable resource for students and researchers interested in criminal justice topics.
Conclusion
Accessing peer-reviewed and scholarly journal articles is crucial for informing thoughts and scholarly writing. The Walden Library provides access to a variety of databases that house a wealth of scholarly literature, ensuring students have access to reliable and relevant sources. These databases, such as ProQuest Research Library, PsycINFO, PubMed, ERIC, Business Source Complete, Sociological Abstracts, and Criminal Justice Abstracts, are invaluable resources for students across various disciplines. By utilizing these databases, students can strengthen their arguments and gain new insights while conducting research for their scholarly work.