Find & Use Sources

UP Library Search is a great place to start your research. It searches many types of resources at once, helping you discover books, articles, videos, and more.

Choose a search scope from the dropdown menu to broaden or narrow your results. Everything is the default search scope.

Everything (UP + Summit + Articles) (default)
Search across local collections, partner libraries, and extensive article indexes. Results may include items available immediately online, materials available through partner libraries, and citations that help you discover additional research.

Clark Library & Summit (UP + Summit)
Search books, media, and other library materials available through Clark Library and Summit partner libraries.

Clark Library Only (UP Only)
Search materials available directly through Clark Library.

Looking for scholarly sources in a specific subject area? Explore the library's specialized databases for more focused searching.

When your project requires scholarly or peer-reviewed sources, library databases are one of the best places to start. Library databases provide access to scholarly articles, books, newspapers, reports, and other credible sources that aren't always available through a web search. 

Visit the guides to see which databases are recommended or see the full list.

See subject guides  See course guides  See all databases

The library subscribes to these databases so you can:

• Save time finding reliable sources for your research
• Find information written by experts
• Access full-text articles and other resources
• Use databases from on campus or off-campus with your UP network account

Not sure where to begin? Librarian-created research guides can save you time by pointing you to the most relevant starting point databases and resources.

• Subject Guides are organized by University of Portland majors and minors and provide recommended databases, research resources, and subject-specific research tips.
• Course Guides are created for individual UP courses, often in collaboration with faculty, and provide recommended databases, resources, and assignment-focused research help.

Research often involves finding information from many different sources, including books, articles, websites, and social media. Because sources vary in quality, credibility, and purpose, it's important to evaluate them carefully. Doing so helps you choose reliable evidence, support your ideas effectively, and use information ethically.

Need help evaluating sources? Ask a librarian or explore our Today's News: Fact or Fiction? guide to learn strategies for assessing credibility, bias, and accuracy.

Connect with a Librarian

Keeping track of your sources and citing them correctly are important parts of the research process. Citations give credit to the original authors, help readers find the sources you used, and support academic integrity.

The Clark Library offers tools and guides to help you manage your research and create accurate citations.

• Save and organize sources with Zotero, a tool that helps you manage references and generate citations and bibliographies.
• Create a quick citation with ZoteroBib, a free tool for building citations without creating an account.
• Consult our citation guides for APA, MLA, Chicago, and other styles commonly used at UP. Even when using citation generators, always review your citations for accuracy.

Need help with your research? Librarians can help focus your topic, find scholarly sources, develop a search strategy, evaluate information, and create citations. Staff at the Library Service Desk can also help you get started.

Connect with a Librarian