Journals are similar to magazines in that they are published regularly (e.g. monthly).
Articles in journals are more in-depth and well-researched than magazine articles. They are written by experts in a particular field of study, and are based on the author's research.
Most of the library's journal articles are accessed electronically through the library databases.
Journal databases are huge, searchable, up-to-date indexes of journal references.
Databases help you to find high quality, up-to-date journal articles that have been published by respected publishers and publications.
If you have been asked to find scholarly articles for your assignment, you will need to search a database.
A peer reviewed journal contains articles that, before being accepted for publishing, are reviewed and approved by a panel of experts in the same subject area as the articles' authors. Similar terms used for these types of journals are: refereed, scholarly and academic.
The library catalogue and many journal databases allow you to limit your search to only include these types of journals. And Ulrichsweb is a directory to check whether journals are refereed.
NARROW BROADEN EXCLUDE
Take a look at the tutorial Analysing your assignment topic
Ei Village provides access to both INSPEC and Compendex. You can search both databases simultaneously to find citations with abstracts (with links) in physics, electronics and electrical engineering, and computer fields. Primary coverage is of journal articles and conference papers, plus significant books, technical reports, and dissertations. Chemical and process engineering, computers and data processing, electronics and communication, civil engineering and mechanical engineering areas are also covered.