Finding Journal Articles
A journal (or magazine, periodical or serial) is a continuing print or electronic publication in parts or issues. Each journal issue contains a number of articles which are a brief composition on a specific topic. Journals contain information which is more current than books and reflects research, academic discourse and opinion. Scholarly research is generally published in journals first.
Page contents
- Journal article from a reading/reference list
- Full journal titles from abbreviations
- Find a journal article by topic
- Library does not hold the journal?
- Further Information
Journal Article from a reading/reference list
Journal titles appear in the Library Catalogue, article titles do not. A journal reference in a Reading/Reference list may look like this:
Colwell, J., Grady, C., & Rhaiti, S. (1995). Computer games, self-esteem and gratification of needs in adolescents. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 5 (3), 195-206.
To find this article, you must first identify the title of the journal . In this case the journal title is in italics. (This will vary according to different referencing styles).
Using the Library Catalogue:
- Type in the title of the journal in which the article appears
- Select Title begins with [Search by]
- Limit to Journals [Quick limit].
The Library Catalogue will give you the call number and location if the journal is available in the Library, or a link to the electronic version. Make a note of the date range available.
Journal article by topic
To find a journal article on a topic or by a particular author, you need to use an electronic index (database) available through Databases under Library Resources. The indexes/databases include:
- Indexing/abstracting databases with abstracts (summaries) only e.g. Index New Zealand
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Aggregators:
- Subject specific e.g. PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus (some full-text available)
- Multidisciplinary databases e.g. ProQuest, EBSCOhost (some full-text available)
- Publishers' databases e.g. Emerald
Some databases include information about other material, such as conference proceedings, book chapters, edited books, theses, etc.
What if the Library does not hold the journal?
If the Library does not hold the journal, either in print or electronically, you can submit an interloan request through ZPortal. Sign in, search for the journal title, choose Get It! and complete the article details. Allow 10 days for the article to arrive.
Further information and help
Try:
- WISE online tutorial, Finding Journal Articles or
- Attend a face-to-face tutorial. Find the timetable and bookings online through Library Teaching or
- Ask for help at any Library Service Desk, or
- Ask online via the Online Information Desk.
