LibGuides: LGBTQ Resources: Databases/Finding Articles

Getting Started with your keyword searching

LGBTQ studies are interdisciplinary, so you will want to use keyword searches within these databases to find relevant articles on your topic. Consider using terminology that is often used in LGBTQ literature such as homosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, bisexual, asexual, gender-fluid, gender identity, etc. If you have any questions, remember to ask a librarian!

Glossary of Terms from Human Rights Watch
Many Americans refrain from talking about sexual orientation and gender expression identity because it feels taboo, or because they’re afraid of saying the wrong thing. This glossary was written to help give people the words and meanings to help make conversations easier and more comfortable.

Databases for LGBTQ related articles

Academic Search Complete This link opens in a new window
This is a database that covers all subjects. To find articles on LGBTQ issues, try searching with the keywords gay, lesbian, transgender, non-binary, etc.
Alt HealthWatch This link opens in a new window
Index, abstracts, and full text covering complementary, holistic and integrated approaches to health care and wellness.
CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window
Reports written by experienced journalists, footnoted and professionally fact-checked. Full-length articles include an overview, historical background, chronology, pro/con feature, plus resources for additional research. Graphics, photos and short "sidebar" features round out the reports. Shorter "Hot Topics" articles provide a solid introduction to subjects most in demand by students.
OhioLINK Electronic Journal Center This link opens in a new window
Includes the full text of more than 7000 online research journals covering many subject areas.
Films on Demand This link opens in a new window
There are many films in this database that feature LGBTQ related materials. Use keywords to find them.
Gender Studies This link opens in a new window
Index and abstracts for publications covering gender-engaged scholarship.
LGBTQ+ Source This link opens in a new window
Provides indexing and abstract coverage of the world's literature regarding Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer issues.
APA PsycINFO This link opens in a new window
Provides abstracts and citations to the scholarly literature in the psychological, social, behavioral, and health sciences. The database includes material of relevance to psychologists and professionals in related fields such as psychiatry, management, business, education, social science, neuroscience, law, medicine, and social work.
Sociological Collection This link opens in a new window
Database covering information in all areas of sociology, including social behavior, human tendencies, interaction, relationships, community development, culture and social structure.

Open Access Journals on LGBTQ issues

Open access (OA) journals are journals that are made available online to the reader without making the reader go through a pay wall. Price barriers, subscriptions, licensing fees, etc. and other access restrictions are removed.

Scholarly Sources

What is a scholarly source?

A scholarly source is material written by an expert or experts (scholarly articles will often have multiple authors) for other experts. If a journal is peer reviewed, that means scholars in the field looked at the material and made comments or recommendations before it could be published, this process ensures that the information is more credible than, say, a website like Yahoo Answers or Reddit. Often these scholarly, peer reviewed articles describe a study that was done, including the objectives and outcomes.

How do I know that a source is scholarly?

Often, your professors will require you to use scholarly sources, so how can you tell that this requirement is being met? The New York Times seems like a credible source, but is it scholarly?

Here are some criteria that can help you determine if a source is scholarly (or not):

The authors names, affiliations, and credentials are included.
There is a list of references (usually many, many references) at the end of the article.
There will be very few images and advertisements (if any), instead you'll find charts, graphs, and other types of data.
The language will be advanced and often use jargon or words specific to the discipline.
***When using the library databases, you can actually check a box to limit your sources to Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) - additionally, the articles are labeled, look for those with the label Academic Journal (these terms are often used interchangeably).***