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LGBT Institute Research Team: Finding LGBT
Peer-Reviewed Literature

SEARCH TIPS

Re: Eric's advise to broaden your search beyond simply 'LGBTQ':

Here is a nested search that should work in most databases (might not work in Google Scholar) that is fairly all-encompassing:

(lgbt* OR glbt* OR gay OR lesbian* OR "same sex" OR bisexual* OR queer OR transgender* OR transsex* OR genderqueer)

So, to give an example of what a search might look like using the above for the topic of mental health or substance abuse, it might look like this:

(lgbt* OR glbt* OR gay OR lesbian* OR "same sex" OR bisexual* OR queer OR transgender* OR transsex* OR genderqueer) AND ("mental health" OR "mental illness")

 

Re: focusing your search on work completed in the past 10-15 years:

Most databases have a way to limit the date range for your search - look in the Advanced Search options or to the left of your results once you've searched and you'll probably find it.

Databases for Peer-Reviewed Academic Literature

These database are good to search, regardless of your specific topic:

  • LGBT Life with Full Text - click the Advanced Search link under the search box and then scroll to and checkbox the  Peer Reviewed box to limit your search to peer-reviewed/scholarly journals.
  • Sociological Abstracts - click the Peer Reviewed checkbox under the search field to limit your search to peer-reviewed/scholarly journals.
  • Academic Search Complete - do a search, then to the left of the results click the Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) Journals to limit your search to peer-reviewed/scholarly journals.
  • Web of Science - do a search, then to the left of the results checkbox the ARTICLE box under Document Types menu.
  • Google Scholar
    • To see the fulltext links for GSU when off campus so you won't be prompted to PAY for any articles: On Google Scholar main page, click Settings in top center of screen, then at next screen click Library Links, search for Georgia State University, checkbox Georgia State University - FullText @ GSU, click Save. Do a search, and under the articles click More link to see Find It @ GSU links that will route you to the GSU Library's access to that article.

Also try those below that are relevant to your topic:

We have many more databases than these!

To find other databases to search, check out our A-Z list, other research guides related to your topic, or consult with me about what might be best to search for your topic.

LGBTQ Demographics/Spatial Distribution

Re: more avenues for researching, you'll probably have to explore the scholarly and government/community resources to see if more detailed demographics can be gleaned.

Cited Reference Searching

Found an incredibly relevant source for your topic?  Do cited reference searches to find researchers who are citing that relevant source - their research might be relevant to you as well, and even more current.

Mining References

Found an incredibly relevant source for your topic?  Mine its references for previously-published sources the authors are citing that might also be relevant to your research.