Finding Journals Articles

Specific titles of journal articles are NOT listed in the library's online catalog or in the library serials search tool. Before locating specific journal articles, you must find an article citation.

Citations to specific articles can be found by using print and electronic indexes and databases. Entries in an index or database generally include the article title, journal title, date/volume/issue of the journal, and the number of the page on which the article begins.

Most print indexes are located in the reference sections of the library. Citations in print sources can be located by doing a subject search in the library's online catalog for periodicals indexes. Electronic indexes and databases can be found via the Reference Subject Guides or the Electronic Resources section of the library's' web site. Another excellent source for citations is in the footnotes or bibliographies of other articles and books.

Once you have a journal citation, it is necessary to check if the library owns the item in either electronic, print or microform format. First, look to see if the item is available in electronic full text. Instructions on determining if the library owns the electronic rights to a specific journal issue are available. If the library does not own the rights to the electronic version, check to see if it is available in paper or microform form. To do this, search the library's online catalog. Information about searching the online catalog for journal titles is available.