FAQ: How do I access and use the JSTOR database?

Accessing JSTOR

JSTOR This link opens in a new window can be found by following these steps:

1. From the library homepage select the A-Z Database List under "Quick Links"
2. Choose "J" from the alphabet near the top/middle of the page 
3. Select "JSTOR"

JSTOR will prompt you to create an optional account.

Using the JSTOR Database

Guides

• How to use JSTOR (for students) This link opens in a new window 
• Research Guides for JSTOR This link opens in a new window 

Video Tutorials

• Find what you need quickly on JSTOR This link opens in a new window (7 minutes) by JSTOR 
• Advanced search on JSTOR This link opens in a new window (8 minutes) by JSTOR 
• History – JSTOR Database This link opens in a new window (6.5 minutes) by Shapiro Library 

Step-by-Step

1. Type your keywords into the JSTOR This link opens in a new window search box. If it’s a phrase, be sure to put it in quotes (this is known as phrase searching) and use Boolean searching which connects the keywords using AND or OR. This provides more relevant results.  
2. For example, if you are researching the Cuban Missile Crisis you can try searches like these:
   “Cuban Missile Crisis”  
   Cuba AND missile AND (Soviet OR Russia) AND 1962 
   Cuba AND soviet missiles AND (Kennedy OR Khrushchev) AND 1962 
3. Once you get back your results, skim through the first page or two of results and look at the titles and also how the keywords are used in context (you’ll notice that the keywords are highlighted in yellow) to determine if any of the articles might be helpful for your research. 
4. If you see an interesting article or ebook chapter, we recommend that you download the PDF and then use Ctrl+F (or Command+F on a Mac) to look for your keywords to quickly see how and where they are used in the text.

For More Help with JSTOR

• JSTOR Support Center This link opens in a new window 
• Contact a Reference Librarian