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: Charles Cobine, cobine@upenn.edu.
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.
