FAQ: Where can I find the information I need to create a citation for a journal article?

Locating Information For a Journal Article Citation

To cite an article correctly, look for the necessary details on the first page.  If you need more guidance on what to include in your citation, refer to the style guide required for your course. Here is a list of the usual information you need for an article citation and where to find it. Keep in mind that the location of this information can change depending on the publisher.

For Journal Articles:

1. Author(s): Typically listed below the title on the first page. 
2. Title of Article: Located at the top of the article's first page. 
3. Journal Name: Often appears in the header or footer. 
4. Volume and Issue Numbers: These are usually found near the journal name in the header or footer. 
5. Publication Date: There might be a series of dates related to the peer-review process listed, use the date label’ Publication Date’. This is often near the volume and issue numbers. 
6. Page Range: Page numbers are often at the bottom of the page in the footer.
7. DOI or stable URL: The DOI is usually near the journal name with volume and issue number on the first page. It may also be included in the citation information on the first page. If DOI cannot be found, use the permalink or stable URL from the library database where you accessed the article.

Example of a Journal Article:

1. Author(s): Juliane M. von der Heiden, Beate Braun, Kai W. Müller, Boris Egloff
2. Title of Article: The Association Between Video Gaming and Psychological Functioning
3. Journal Name: Frontiers in Psychology
4. Volume and Issue Numbers: Vol. 10, no issue number
5. Publication Date: 2019
6. Page Range: 1-11
7. DOI or stable URL: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01731

Other Places to Look 

You can find a lot of this information on the item’s record in Multi-Search, a library database, or a journal's website. However, you might need to look at the actual article to confirm the information or to find more details for your citation. Many databases also have tools to help you format your citations, but it’s a good idea to double-check them for any errors. Below is an example of an article’s record from the Multi-Search.

More Information

Citing Your Sources Guide (Shapiro Library)

APA Style Guide (Shapiro Library)

MLA Style Guide (Shapiro Library)

Chicago Style Guide (Shapiro Library)

Disclaimer

This information is intended to be a guideline, not expert advice. Please be sure to speak to your professor about the appropriate way to cite sources in your class assignments and projects.