Geography, Environment and Planning

You'll find many articles you'll need for your studies in Library Search . But there is a range of specialist databases which provide more sophisticated searches for journal articles around many different aspects of geography and planning.

While these massive databases  tend to have a broad focus that ranges across science, technology and social science, they are still useful sources to use when searching for journal articles, especially as they often have additional advanced features to help find relevant information.

In academic and professional writing, it is essential to support your discussions and arguments with reliable, published sources. Personal opinions such as 'I believe...' are not sufficient on their own: you must back up your claims with credible, relevant evidence from appropriate sources..

Such evidence often takes the form of a journal article. These sources are typically found using research databases and, in some cases, through platforms like Google Scholar or Library Search. Using these resources ensures you access high-quality, relevant information. The Library provides these databases in collaboration with your lecturers and academic staff, helping you find the most appropriate materials for your subject area.

So it is important that you understand why you need to use these sources, develop your skills and knowledge of how research is published, and which resources are most applicable to your subject areas.

Keep up to date with news and developments in your subject area by scanning some key journals:

Many academic databases that search for journal articles also include conference papers, which are sometimes also referred to as conference proceedings. These papers are based on presentations given by researchers at academic or industry conferences. While some conference papers present complete research studies, many report on preliminary findings or work in progress. They can be published in the form of journals, books, or webpages.

Conference papers are less likely than journal articles to go through peer review. However, they can still be useful sources, particularly in fast-developing areas of research.

Journal articles are one of the key places where new research is published. Articles are written by experts and practitioners in that field of research.

Articles are published in academic journals; like magazines,  journals will publish several new issues a year, each issue contain several articles. They have several functions:

• To share original research; 
• To review previously published research;
• To discuss theoretical concepts within a particular field of research.

Journal articles have some defining features:

• Typically focus on one very specific topic;
• Have a structured format, usually consisting of abstract, introduction, literature review, methods, results, discussion and conclusions. This similarity to the formats for dissertations and projects can be helpful inspiration for structuring your own research work;,
• Some articles will be peer-reviewed by other experts in that field prior to publication: this helps screen out errors and flaws, and so peer-reviewed articles are among the more reliable sources available.

Trade papers - sometimes also called trade journals - are publications aimed at professionals in specific industries or jobs. 

Unlike academic journals, trade papers don't tend to publish new research. Instead, they inform professionals about the latest developments in their field, to support decision-making and good practice. They will include much more detail than publications aimed at the general public.

Trade papers may provide:

• News and trends
• Case studies
• Interviews and opinion pieces
• Practical advice and practice notes
• Updates on regulations and standards

It is important to scan key journals in your subject area to keep up to date. The Articles in Press feature displays the most current articles before they have been officially given a volume and issue number. When you have selected a journal, Articles in Press appears on the left, just below the journal cover image.

In the course of searching these specialist resources, you may find articles that we do not have access to in our Library collection. If this happens, we can get the articles for you through our Document Supply Service.

This link is the information about how to use the Document Supply Service at Sheffield Hallam.

• Document Supply Service