Business Guide

In most cases, a keyword search is the best way to search for articles on a topic. To get the best results, consider the most important concepts in your search, then separate them with an "and" in the search box.

For example, if you are looking for an article about alternative energy businesses. Try searching for alternative energy and businesses. Think of ways the author might say the same thing. Try green businesses or energy and innovation.

If you can't find articles on your topic, contact a NECC Librarian.

Google Scholar is a resource worth trying if you do not find the information you need using the library databases. Google Scholar searches for scholarly articles using the standard Google search box and the techniques you use to operate in a Google search. Unfortunately, some academic articles you will find using Google Scholar are not available in full-text or are not free.  

Hit a paywall? One disadvantage of Google Scholar is that not everything is freely available. Before you spend any money online:

1. Ask a librarian for help. 
2. Fill out an interlibrary loan request, and we will try to get the article from another library.
3. Use Publication Finder to search for the title of the journal, magazine, or newspaper that published the article to determine if NECC databases provide the full text.
4. Check the Boston Public Library's holdings. Anyone who lives, works, or attends college in Massachusetts can get an electronic library card and access to all the BPL's electronic holdings.