LibGuides: Dubai Architecture subject guide: Journals & Journal Articles

Searching for journal articles

Subject - specific databases
Further research

Databases are simply collections of journals searchable from one search box. They enable you to find good quality subject-specific research and journal articles on a topic. Listed below are some useful databases in the fields of computing and engineering (you will need your Single Sign On username and password to access them).

Art and Architecture Archive This link opens in a new window
A full-text archive of magazines comprising key research material in the fields of art and architecture, dating from the late-nineteenth century to the twenty-first. Subjects covered include fine art, decorative arts, architecture, interior design, industrial design, and photography.
Art Full Text (H.W. Wilson) This link opens in a new window
Art Full Text is a comprehensive online resource for art information featuring full-text articles from more than 300 periodicals dating back to 1995, high-quality indexing and abstracting of over 600 periodicals dating as far back as 1984, including 280 peer-reviewed journals, as well as indexing and abstracting of over 13,000 art dissertations. Indexing of almost 200,000 art reproductions provides examples of styles and art movements, including works by emerging artists. The database covers fine, decorative and commercial art, folk art, photography, film, and architecture, and also includes a database-specific thesaurus.
ARTbibliographies Modern (ABM) This link opens in a new window
This online database is the only specialist bibliography available for the study of modern and contemporary art. Covers all art forms, including fine art, digital art, crafts, design and photography. Features full abstracts and indexing from art journals published from the late 1960s onwards. Also incorporates book records, including those drawn from the collections of the Tate Library and the Bibliothèque Dominique Bozo, Musée LAM.
Arts and Humanities Full Text This link opens in a new window
This online database features hundreds of titles covering Art, Architecture, Design, History, Philosophy, Music, Literature, Theatre and Cultural Studies.
Arts Premium Collection This link opens in a new window
The Arts Premium Collection encompasses cross-searchable databases with thousands of journal titles, Subject areas include: Art, Design, Architecture, Humanities, Film/Screen Studies, Music, Performing Arts, and more.
Included databases:
ARTbibliographies (ABM)
Arts & Humanities Database
Design & Applied Arts Index (DAAI)
International Bibliography of Art (IBA)

Music Periodicals Database
Performing Arts Database

AFI Catalog
FIAF International Index to Film Periodicals Database
Film Index International
Construction Information Service (CIS) This link opens in a new window
Extensive range of full-text documents covering all aspects of the building, engineering, design and construction process.
Design and Applied Arts Index (DAAI) This link opens in a new window
Over 130,000 annotated references from more than 500 design and craft journals and newspapers published since 1973. Includes data on over 50,000 designers, craftspeople, studios, workshops, firms etc.
IEEE Xplore Digital Library This link opens in a new window
Full text access to IEEE and IEE journals, transactions and conference proceedings since 1988 and current IEEE standards.
JSTOR Arts and Sciences III This link opens in a new window
An archive of full text scholarly journals focussing on the subject areas of performing arts, architecture, art, education, women's studies, film studies, language and literature, linguistics, and music.
Please note current issues of journals are not included.
Scopus This link opens in a new window
Indexes scholarly journals covering science, technology, textiles, health, medicine and social sciences from 1960s to date. You may need to 'activate' your account on first use of this resource.

Below are some more databases that you may find useful in your research. Check this page for a list of all individual databases available from DMU for Dubai students.

British Standards Online (BSOL) This link opens in a new window
Please note: students and staff are currently unable to download standards through the FileOpen plug-in when accessing from a DMU PC or DMU-issued device. The library is working with ITMS to resolve this issue as soon as possible. Students/staff using their own (personal) device are unaffected and will be able to install the free FileOpen software.

Definitive site for all publications from British Standards Institution, with bibliographic information for more than 39,500 documents.

To download and print PDF documents from the British Standards site from 1st Sep 2021, you will be required to have the FileOpen plug-in installed on your device. You can still view documents online without the plug-in.
You can download the FileOpen plug-in from the FileOpen website.
Some web browsers will open PDFs in-browser as default behaviour. This will cause an error when opening British Standards PDFs. To avoid this error, please save the document to your device first, and then open the file.
For further information and support, please read the following library news blog post.
The FileOpen Frequently Asked Questions page on the British Standards website can help with some problems encountered when using this software. Some users have reported issues dealing with Digital Rights Management (https://bsol.bsigroup.com/ContentProvider/FAQs?menuSelected=Digital%20Rights%20Management) error messages.

Why use journals?

Use journals to find:

useful information, research and discussions
different viewpoints from different authors
relatively current information, journals are published quicker than books.

Popular magazines and trade/professional journals are a great way to develop your commercial awareness. You should be using peer-reviewed journals in your assignments to build on knowledge gathered from books.