Forest Ecology

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Finding Full Text

You've found the perfect article -- now, how do you find a copy of the full text so that you can read it?

  • Full text included in database: Sometimes, the database record for an article will include a link to full text. Simply click the link; you can download, view, or email the article to yourself.

     
  • Full text not included in database: Look for the "Find Full Text" link. This link will do three things:
    1. Go out and search all of the library's holdings to see if the full text is available in a different database;
    2. Provide a link to Google Scholar so that you can see if full text is available there;
    3. Let you request the article via Interlibrary Loan with one click; just fill in your contact information. (Allow 1-2 business days for most ILL articles.)
       
  • Google Scholar - links to full text: Some articles in Google Scholar have links to free full text -- these show up over on the right-hand side of the page.

     
  • Google Scholar - articles without full text links: Click the two little arrows under the record to reveal a link to "Check for Full Text," which will search the library's holdings and offer a link to interlibrary loan. 


     
  • Citation you have in your hand: If you have a citation in your hand (for example, something you found in a bibliography) and want to get the full text, use our Publication Lookup and type in the name of the journal (not the article!).
    • If the library has the journal online, check to see if it has the dates that you need, then click through to go to the online journal.
    • If the article isn't available through the library, try Google Scholar.
    • Still no luck? Request the article via Interlibrary Loan.

Unpaywall

Unpaywall is a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox. If you come across a journal article on the web, Unpaywall will let you know if a free, legal full-text copy is available. (If Unpaywall can't find free full text, remember that as an MCLA student/faculty/staff member, you can request articles via interlibrary loan. Don't pay!)