Provide systematic searching for articles and other documents. Some include full text others provide FindIt@MU links to locate full text. The top article search engines for math and stats are:

Broadly search the web for scholarly journal literature.  Remember, Google Scholar cannot search inside many of the MU resources.

Critical thinking skills should be used when deciding whether an article is appropriate to use. Consider:

Type of Publication: Is it a popular magazine or newspaper, a trade journal, or a scholarly journal? (see below)
Purpose: Is the intent to inform, entertain, persuade or educate?
Objectivity: Are various sides or points-of-view represented?
Author: Does the author have expertise on the topic?
Date: Is the information current or timely for your topic?
Bibliography: Are the authors sources of information cited completely.

Types of Periodicals

Periodicals, journals, magazines fall into 'categories' determined by their overall purpose.

Popular: Written for general public; authors and editors usually journalists not experts in subject field; purpose is to provide current, societal/cultural news and discussion.
Trade: Written for individuals in a specific career/job or with a specific interest/hobby.  Authors are generally persons working int he field/hobby or journalists with specialized knowledge.  Articles discuss current issues but are not reports of research.
Scholarly: Written for researchers, educators, students, authors are other professionals.  Articles are reports of original research or other scholarly investigations/discussions.