Critical Writing Program: Abolish The Family - Fall 2024: What to Do When You Are Stuck

Even the most seasoned researchers get stuck. That is part of the discovery process of research.

A few suggestions:

• Change things up: try a different kind of database, change your keywords, try a citation chase 
• Talk to your professor or TA: they are researchers and can help direct you
• Email or make an appointment with a subject librarian

What do I do if I hit a paywall? 

Using Penn subscribed databases sends you through the Libraries "proxy." The proxy is the key that unlocks the subscription paywalls. You should never have to pay for a journal article. Talk to your librarian if you run into trouble connecting to an article.  99% of the time they can help you get the article quickly.

To avoid paywalls:

• Connect to databases through library guides like this one or through Franklin Catalog. 
• Set Lean Library up in your browser--The Lean Library Library Access Browser Extension allows you to easily connect to Penn Libraries' licensed content from your laptop or desktop computer when off-campus. 
• Use Google Scholar Advanced settings to recognize your Penn affiliation.
  • Click the three short lines or "hamburger' in the right hand corner 
  • Click settings > library links > Search for University of Pennsylvania in the search box > check University of Pennsylvania - Full Text via Penn Text > save

If we don't have direct access to an article or book chapter, you can "Email me a chapter or section" (the Libraries will make a copy from  the collection or request from another library--turn around time can be quick!) or request books from "Pick up at Van Pelt" which, if we don't have available at Penn, will trigger a request to request from one of our partner libraries. Log into the Libraries' collections catalog to see all of your options.