Getting started: Finding Relevant Scholarly Literature in Mathematics
Tackling a new topic?
Try looking for a review article first. Review articles attempt to summarize the state of research on a scientific topic. While lengthy and not generally including the very latest research, review articles can be a great way to start to get a handle on a topic.
Don't overlook the literature cited at the end of the review: the bibliography contains a wealth of information about the key discoveries and main researchers in the field.
Most databases will allow you to limit your search to include only review articles or literature reviews.
Key Resources
For articles describing primary research using scientific methods, written by experts in the field, try these databases:
- MathSciNet This link opens in a new windowReviews of current mathematics articles, books, chapters. Includes institutional affiliations, collaboration distance searching, citations, and links to Northeastern-authorized full text PDFs or ordering information.
- Scopus and Scopus AI This link opens in a new windowEnter a natural language query and receive results from the largest multidisciplinary abstract and citation database including graphical representations showing connections among keywords, pointers to influential papers, and suggested related queries to further your research.
- Web of Science, All Databases This link opens in a new windowUse this link for access to citation tracking and subject searching of scholarly literature. Data visualizations, alerts, and journal impact factors. Includes the Web of Science Core Collection. One of the largest curated databases of scholarly research, with citations in some subjects from 1900 to the present.
- arXiv MathematicsMathematicians post papers and results in this forum in order to share information and get informal peer review. Includes unpublished as well as published works, sometimes in preprint formats.
- JSTOR MathematicsHigh-quality peer reviewed journals in mathematics, usually backfiles rather than the most up-to-date issues.
- ERAM: Electronic Research Archive for MathematicsAlso known as the Jarhbuch Project, attempting to build a library of classical mathematics texts from 1868-1942.
- Project EUCLID This link opens in a new windowSelected scholarly journals in mathematics (Euclid Prime and Euclid Select titles available), hosted by Duke and Cornell University. Over 70% of the content is openly available, so it can be shared outside Northeastern.
- Sage Research Methods This link opens in a new windowAn online collection of information for beginning and advanced researchers looking for the best methods to use in their research. Full access to Books & Reference, Cases Part 1, Datasets Part 1, and Video: Practical Research and Academic Skills.
Quick Links
Did you know?
Mathematics has its own Subject Classification system to help people find articles and other materials on specific subjects. Mostly used in Mathematical Reviews (MathSciNet) and Zentrallblatt MATH, it is a useful for looking at similar articles, or for understanding the different types and branches of mathematics.