Bunker Hill Community College Library Databases

JSTOR

What is it?

JSTOR is a database containing the back files (older issues) of over 50 scholarly journals. These journals may either be browsed individually or searched using text files. Since this resource is focused on back files, the most recent several years (usually 3-5 years) of any particular journal is not available using JSTOR. This resource makes available to the researcher almost one hundred years worth of articles, depending upon the start date of each individual journal. This is an ongoing project, and the number of archived journals is increasing rapidly. Check the title list periodically to see if this resource would be of use to you in your research.

NOTE: On the BHCC Library's Web Page (http://www.noblenet.org/bhcc/), click on the Electronic Databases link, and then from the top of the page choose Jstore. Next, if you are on campus, click on campus link, If you are off campus, please select the off campus link. To access the database from off-campus, you need to use your BHCC student ID number (which is a 14 digit number on back of your ID), and your last name (you must have registered at the Library's circulation desk).

Getting Started 2 methods of accessing its content: searching and browsing.

1. To Search enter words to be found in article text, titles, authors, or abstracts.
   
2. To Browse the Journals, go to the list of journal titles. You may look through issues, page by page.

On the "Start JSTOR" screen, you can click on either "Browse the journals" or "Search JSTOR". "Browse the Journals" will allow you to see what journals are archived, view individual contents pages, and view individual citations or articles on a page-by page basis. "Search JSTOR" allows you to search the entire database by entering terms describing your area of interest. You can also limit your search by date, article type, and general subject area.

Search Strategies and Tips for using JSTOR (taken from the online JSTOR help topic tips at www.jstor.org/help )

Searching

It helps to know a little bit about the tool you are using to conduct your searches. For example, the search engine connected to JSTOR is very literal. It doesn't assume anything (except the plural of a word) about your search nor does it try variations unless you specifically state them in your search query. Therefore, you must search "region or regional" to find variants of the stem "region". Also, use variant spelling of words (e.g., "labor" or "labour") and also try spelling out acronyms (e.g., "NATO" or "North Atlantic Treaty Organization").

For keyword searches, use synonyms: (e.g., "Regions or Locales or Areas").

What to do if you get too many hits

1. Add additional search terms.
2. Use more specific search terms.
3. Try searching for the same keywords in the title or abstract fields, rather than in the full-text field.
4. Limit your search by date, journal, or type of article.
   
   

What to do if you get too few hits

1. If you have limited your search, try expanding your search (e.g., search in full-text rather that title or abstract, use a wider date range.)
2. Check for misspellings or other typing errors.
3. Try using synonyms or variations of words.
4. Use plurals or other word endings.

Printing

JSTOR offers several printing options, which allow you to print articles in their entirety. You may select one option as your preferred method of printing. It is not possible to print entire articles by simply using the "Print" button in a WWW browser.

Before printing check the print help file since JSTOR's unique print features require you to specify your preferences. For example, it helps to know ahead of time that you can print using either the Adobe Acrobat Printing or the JSTOR Print options.

1. To print using Adobe Acrobat .pdf versions of JSTOR articles requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, which may be downloaded from the Adobe web site at no cost.
2. The JSTOR Print option requires the use of a special helper application called JPRINT.

NOTE: You may choose between High Quality and Economy setting for both Acrobat and JPRINT .

1. High Quality - the image that prints out is crisp and clear but the file is quite large. This means that it will take a long time to print or download the article. You may wish to choose this option if you have a high speed internet connection, like a campus network.
2. Economy - the image that prints out is fax quality and not as sharp as High Quality. The file size, however, is much smaller and will be quicker to print. If you have a dial up Internet connection, you may wish to choose this option.

---

Return to the top of this page | FAQ | NOBLE Gateway |
BHCC Library Home Page | BHCC Home Page | Chelsea Campus Links

Web Site questions or comments? Send E-mail to bhc@noblenet.org

Last reviewed February 2, 2002 Last updated February 24, 2004