How to Find a Journal Article Know how to search for journal articles in the SOAS Library and beyond Tip! Journals can also be called Periodicals or Serials Tip! To find a particular journal article you need to know which journal it is in. How do I know what the Journal title is? • If you have a reference to help you find the article [e.g. 53 ICLQ 713] – the abbreviation [e.g. ICLQ] refers to the journal title • To find out what the full title is go to Cardiff Index to Legal Abbreviations (http://www.legalabbrevs.cardiff.ac.uk/) Example! How do I find Journals in print? To find the journal go to the Library Catalogue (http://www.lib.soas.ac.uk) • Note: You cannot search the library catalogue for individual articles, only journal titles. Search Results Example! Use a Periodical or Journal search Click on the title link to view more details of an item Frequently asked questions Results! Check to see what years the library holds Note: LACKS means there are some issues missing Write down the entire Classmarks Check to see which latest issue the library has received Click on Main Library to find out where the journal will be in the Library They take the form: How do I find the Journal on the shelves? The Library Location List will display which floor level and stack numbers you will find particular Classmarks: Select the letter that appears at the start of the classmark Find the range of numbers that includes your Classmark Check the Floor Level and Book Stack numbers Current Journals are on Level A Large Journals (Per L) are on Level B Discontinued Journals are on Level F How do I find the Journal online? To find the journal online go to the A-to-Z Electronic Journals (http://atoz.ebsco.com/Search.asp?id=1278&230746681) • Note: You cannot search the database for individual articles, only journal titles Example! Use the Search tab and type in the full journal title Results! Check the dates covered by each database includes the one you are looking for Click on the database title to enter and browse or search within to find your article • Check the entry requirements for each database Note: Search for journal titles on a particular topic by using the Subjects tab What if the Journal is not on the Library Catalogue or A-Z? To find the article elsewhere go to Search other Libraries (http://www.soas.ac.uk/library/using/others/) Use Finding material in other libraries to find links to other library catalogues • Note: Postgraduate law students can apply for borrowing membership at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (IALS) and several other institutions in London • Note: Undergraduates can apply for borrowing membership at Senate House and reference access at most other institutions • See access to other libraries for more information Finding Items within a London Library To find the book in a London library go to InforM25 (http://www.inform25.ac.uk/Link/) • • • Step 1. Select catalogues by location Step 2. Search the selected catalogues Step 3. Search Results: Finding Items at other Libraries in the UK To find the book in a library outside London go to COPAC (http://copac.ac.uk/copac/) Tip! COPAC searches some of the largest research libraries in the UK and Ireland (i.e. Oxford, Cambridge, British Library etc.) • • • Step 1. Type in your search terms Step 2. Select item from list Step 3. Search Results: • • Note: Items can be ordered as interlibrary loans See Interlibrary Loans for more information Finding Items at Libraries Worldwide To find the book in a library worldwide go to WorldCat (http://www.worldcat.org/) • • • • Step 1. Search for Books, DVDs, CDs, Articles or Everything! Step 2. Select item from list Step 3. Search Results Step 4. Find a copy in the library – choose a region you want to search in: • • Note: Items can be ordered as interlibrary loans See Interlibrary Loans for more information What if I still can’t find it? • Ask the Enquiry Desk o In person on Level E o Call 020 7898 4163 o Email Libenquiry@soas.ac.uk • Contact your Subject Librarian