Understanding Your Article Citation

Before you can determine whether the Library has a journal, newspaper, or magazine, you must identify what information you have in your citation. While most citations contain the same core elements, each discipline may use a different citation style to organize or abbreviate the information. Below are some examples of how to locate key elements from the citation.

Humanities Journals

Science Journals

Science citations often use abbreviations for journal titles. You can look for the full title by using Periodical Title Abbreviations (call number Z6945.A2P47) which is available in Crerar and Regenstein Reference, also Regenstein Reading Room, Floor 5. You can also view a list of common abbreviations used in ISI Web of Science databases. Example: J. Mol. Biol. = Journal of Molecular Biology

Social Sciences Journals

Once you have identified these key elements, you will need to see if the Library provides access to the issue of the journal, newspaper or magazine that you need.

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How do I find a journal, magazine, newspaper, etc.?