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Full Text and FindIt (SFX)

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why didn't I get a full text link for my article?

     Three possible reasons:
    • There is no full-text version available (either for that journal or for specific [usually older] volumes of it).
    • CSU Libraries does not own a subscription to that journal in an online format. In most cases, we have to pay extra for full-text access. Check Sage Library Catalog to see if we own the journal in a different format.
    • The database may not be sending FindIt (SFX) the information it needs to find the article.

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  • Why are there sometimes two options for full-text? Which one should I choose?
    • Normally we subscribe to full text directly from the publisher, so you will find only one link. Sometimes an article is also available in a full-text article database such as EBSCO or Lexis/Nexis, and we link to it there as well. You can choose which version you want to access. If one link is temporarily not working, it helps to have a backup choice.

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  • Why did I go to the journal home page when I clicked on full text and not to the article?
    • FindIt (SFX) will try to get you as close to the full text as it can. Sometimes the best FindIt (SFX) can do is take you to the table of contents or the journal's home page because of the way a particular publisher has structured its Web site. Essentially a full-text link in FindIt (SFX) means that the full-text is available, but you may have to do some of the work of getting to it yourself.

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  • When I click to get the full text, my article isn't there. Why not?

    Sometimes you will need to search for the article on the journal home page. See: Why did I go to the journal home page? Other times, the article may be missing.

    Possible reasons why the article is missing:

    • Sometimes the citation for an article may appear in a database before the publisher has made the full text available.
    • The publisher or author withheld the full text of this article.

      In either case, please fill out a FindIt (SFX) Problem Report form by clicking on the "Contact Us" link on the SFX menu. Include your name and contact information in the form if you would like to receive a response about your problem.

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