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