Skip to Main Content

PYRE 1731: Introduction to Philosophy and Religion D 2024: Research Resources

Research Resources

 

Use the tabs below to learn more about how to use the WPI Library Search and to find recommendations for databases, books, and journals to use for philosophy and religion research. Use the last tab to get information on how to get full-text access to sources.

Research Resources

Screenshot of the WPI Library Search box on the library homepage

WPI Library Search (the main search box on the library homepage) searches across most of the library's resources at once and can be used to find books, articles, and more. Enter your keywords to get started. Then use the tips below to refine your search results. 

Search Tips for WPI Library Search: 

Use these search terms to narrow or broaden your search:

 Term 

 Example

 Result

 AND 

Mencius AND xing

 Narrows the search to entries containing both terms. 

 OR 

Taoism OR Daoism

 Broadens the search to entries containing either term. 

 NOT 

Stonewall NOT Jackson

 Excludes entries containing the second term. 

 “ ” 

“Noble Eightfold Path”

 Retrieves results containing the exact phrase in quotes. 

 ? 

wom?n

 Wildcard: Retrieves woman, women womyn, etc. 

 * 

philosoph*

 Truncation: Retrieves philosophy, philosopher, philosophical, etc. 

After you search, refine your search results using the filters on the left​. Filter by availability, resource type, publication date, and more. ​

Screenshot of the search filters in the WPI Library Search

Recommended Databases for Philosophy and Religion

Use the databases listed below to find journal articles, books, and book chapters related to your research topic. 

How to Find Books

To find books at the Gordon Library, type your keywords into the WPI Library Search. Use the drop-down menu to the right of the search box to select "Books & Media."

To limit your search to online books, go to the Availability filter on the left and select Available online.

To limit your search to print books, go to the Availability filter on the left and select Available on shelf.

Screenshot of the WPI Library Search. An arrow points to the filter for Books & Media in the dropdown menu next to the search box. Another arrow points to the Availability filter on the left.
 

Examples of Books at WPI

What are Peer-Reviewed Journals?

A peer-reviewed journal is a respected publication. Before articles are published within these types of journals, they are sent by the editors of the journal to other scholars in the field ("peers"), often anonymously, to get feedback on the quality of the scholarship, review research methods, as well as relevance or importance to the field. The article may be accepted, often with revisions suggested, or rejected for publication. Many peer-reviewed journals have low acceptance rates. 

Peer-reviewed articles are typically substantial in length (often 10 pages or more) and have many citations. 

To find peer reviewed articles in WPI Library Search, enter your keywords and then choose the Peer-Reviewed Journals filter on the left.

screenshot of the Peer-reviewed Journals filter in the WPI Library Search

Examples of Peer-Reviewed Journals for Philosophy and Religion

Start at the Library Website

The database links on the library website and the links within the WPI Library Search are all configured for off-campus access. When you use these links off-campus, the WPI login screen will appear. Enter your WPI credentials to get access to the library's electronic resources.

Full Text Finder

When searching in the library's databases, you may find an abstract for an article but not the full-text. When this happens, click on the FullTextFinder icon. 

The FullTextFinder will either redirect you to another database that has the full-text of the article or it will tell you that we don't have this article in our collections. If we don't have an article that you need, request the article via Interlibrary Loan. Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a service that allows WPI students and faculty to request items from other libraries free of charge. 

Interlibrary Loan

Is there something you need that the WPI library doesn't have? Our Interlibrary Loan service allows WPI students and faculty to request items from other libraries free of charge.

WorldCat

Use WorldCat.org to search for books, articles, and more at libraries around the world. Request materials from other libraries via Interlibrary Loan

Borrow from Nearby Libraries

The Academic and Research Collaborative (ARC) allows member users to borrow directly from Worcester area libraries. Before you can borrow materials directly from participating libraries, you need to sign up for an ARC card in person at the Gordon Library's Information Desk. Pick up your ARC card today!

As a resident of Massachusetts, you can sign up for a library card at the Worcester Public Library (WPL). WPI students with a college ID can are eligible for WPL cards. You can also sign up for an ecard, which allows you to access the WPL's online resources. 

As a resident of Massachusetts, you can also sign up for a library card at the Boston Public Library (BPL). Students who live in Massachusetts while attending school are eligible for a BPL card. The BPL also has an option for an ecard, which allows you to access the BPL's online resources.

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Open Access)

"...as of March 2018, has nearly 1600 entries online. From its inception, the SEP was designed so that each entry is maintained and kept up-to-date by an expert or group of experts in the field. All entries and substantive updates are refereed by the members of a distinguished Editorial Board before they are made public. Consequently, our dynamic reference work maintains academic standards while evolving and adapting in response to new research".