When researching topics in LGBTQ studies, it is important to choose subjects and keywords that will retrieve the most relevant results for your query. 

If undertaking a specific search, it is important that you choose search terms that will retrieve the most relevant results.  For example, a simple search for "Homosexuality" will retrieve a broad range of topics, covering most everything from historical events to biographies of public figures to academic theories of gender and sexuality. 

Broad keyword searches are ideal when beginning research on a topic.  Once a more specific topic has been determined, be sure to be more concise in your search terms.  For example, if your research will focus on a notable politician or actor in the LGBTQ community, use that person's name or film titles in your search.

Here's a short video showing how Find it @ MU works. (About 4 minutes long.)

Two common ways to find out if the Libraries have access to the articles you need:

1) You are searching in an article database, but it doesn't have the full-text:  

Click on  in the article citation. Another window / tab opens with two possible options:

• Links indicating Find it @MU may have located one or more sources for full text of the article. Click on the links and follow the trail to the article. 
• Links to search MARQCAT by the journal title or its ISSN number. The journal may be available in print or electronically through a source not searchable by Find it @MU.

2) You already have a specific citation and aren't currently searching in a database:

• Search for the journal title in MARQCAT, the library catalog;
• Do not search the title or author of the article, MARQCAT doesn't contain article level information.

The MARQCAT record will indicate what years we have in print and/or online, providing call number locations for the print and links to the e-journal.  Once at the e-journal, navigate to the volume, issue and page that you need.

Questions:

Didn't find the article/journal using Find it @MU or MARQCAT?  Request the article through Interlibrary Loan (ILL) by clicking on the link at the bottom of the Find it @MU window or tab.  Learn more about ILL here.

Ever wonder why the full-text isn't there?  Watch this short video about the Business of Information.