Searching in JSTOR
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Getting Started
Start by accessing the JSTOR database through the library's website or by using the link below.
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JSTOR This link opens in a new windowJSTOR is a digital library of academic content in many formats and disciplines, including scholarly and peer-reviewed articles as well as e-books. Coverage varies by title but ranges from the 1800s to the 2010s.
Conduct Your Search
Begin your search by entering your keywords. If you need more search fields, click "Add a search box"
Narrowing Results
JSTOR includes a variety of sources, such as books, images, articles, and primary sources. To narrow your results to a specific type, you have a few options:
In Advanced Search
You can use the "Narrow Your Results" option in the Advanced Search area to refine your search. This is especially useful for filtering out journal reviews from your results.
On the Results Page
On the results page, you have several options to refine your search:
- Academic Content: Limit results to Journals or Book Chapters.
- Primary Source Content: Filter by specific primary source types, such as serials, documents, or books.
- Date: Restrict results to a specific time frame or focus on recent research.
- Subject: Narrow results by subject area to find research from a particular perspective. For example:
- Searching for literary research on Jane Austen? Limit by Language and Literature.
- Exploring Austen’s influence on women? Try Feminist and Women's Studies.
Peer Reviewed Sources in JSTOR
According to the JSTOR Support page, "While the majority of journals collected in JSTOR are considered peer-reviewed publications, our archives also contain some specific primary source materials (such as some journals in the Ireland Collection and the 19th Century British Pamphlet Collection). These are examples of journal content that pre-date the current standard peer-review process. While all the information in JSTOR is held to a scholarly standard, not all publications technically qualify as peer-reviewed."
What Content in JSTOR Is Not Peer-Reviewed?
- Primary Source Content: Includes historical journal content, images, and pamphlet collections.
- Open Content: Such as community collections and open images.
- Research Reports: These may be scholarly but are not always peer-reviewed.
If you're unsure whether a source is peer-reviewed, ask a librarian for assistance.