Academic journals are scholarly, peer-reviewed publications created by and for scholars and researchers. In this context, they're generally considered secondary sources. It usually takes at least a year to write and publish an academic article.
Sometimes scholars and experts also publish commentary via magazine articles, op-eds, podcasts, or blogs. These can be valuable sources of analysis on current political situations, too, although they're usually not peer-reviewed.
Because your topics are multidisciplinary, try searching several different databases related to different parts of your topic.
Use the All Subjects dropdown in our Database Finder for even more database options. This is especially helpful if your policy statement relates to a specific identity group, community, or geographic location.
Multi-disciplinary database providing information for nearly every area of academic study. Includes an enormous collection of the most valuable peer-reviewed full text journals, as well as additional journals, magazines, newspapers and books. Multidisciplinary subjects including: social sciences, humanities, education, computer sciences, engineering, physics, chemistry, language & linguistics, arts & literature, medicine, ethnic studies. 1965- present.
Google Scholar will link you directly to articles the UMD Libraries subscribe to, making it easier to find full-text content. Here's how to turn on this feature:
NOTE: Google Scholar should also show you full-text links if you have created a profile with your UMD email address and are signed in, or if you're on a campus computer.
