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Step 3: Interpret the Information in the Index

Computerized indexes usually label each component of the citation; however, print indexes generally do not. Each bibliographic citation contains the following information:

  • a. author(s) (articles written by the staff of the journal are not identified)
  • b. title of the article
  • c. title of the journal (if an abbreviation is used, there is a separate list giving the full title)
  • d. volume and/or issue number (some journals do not use volume or issue numbers)
  • e. pages on which the article is located
  • f. date of the journal
See Note below for information about SFX button.

Not all bibliographic elements are always included (as noted above). For example, newspaper articles will not have a volume or an issue number; often neither do weekly/monthly magazines; however, if a volume/issue number is listed, copy it down because it may turn out to be helpful in finding the article you need (in the library or via Interlibrary Loan). When you write your bibliography you can include or not include the information, depending upon the style manual (examples) you are using.

Nevertheless, always look for the six elements of the bibliographic citation:

MLA: Author. "Title of Article." Journal Name Volume (Date): Pages.
APA: Author (Year). Title of article. Journal Name Volume, Pages.

  • Some indexes will also include an abstract (summary) of the article.

Go to Step 4: Determine if the Library Owns the Journal
Go back to Step 2

Note

A growing number of CSU's electronic indexes, identified on the "Research Databases" page with image of "FindIt enabled", have a SFX@CSU button; used to trigger SFX button included with the citation information. Click on the FindIt (SFX) button to see if another CSU database has a full text or PDF version of the article. If there is no electronic version available, check the library catalog Sage (also offered under the FindIt (SFX) button); the initial search will be by ISSN number, but also check using the methods described in Step 4D. The library catalog Sage will sometimes identify full text options when FindIt (SFX) does not find any. It is always worth checking the library catalog!

Example SFX button which found four full text options (notice that they cover different years): image of FindIt screen with 4 electronic options for the journal

Reminder: if there is image of "No electronic versionavialable for this item always check the library catalog Sage for CSU ownership of the journal. If CSU doesn't own the issue of the journal (or the entire journal) you need, you may request the article from Interlibrary Loan (available from the FindIt page image of "Request this item from Interlibrary Loan").

How to Find Articles ||| How to do Research

Content: Naomi Lederer