Use this guide to learn how to start searching for journal articles
When studying the social sciences, there are several citation databases that provide significant support for researching scientific literature, such as and (for international publications across all disciplines) or DoGi, Iusimpresa, and ESSPER (for Italian publications in the fields of law, economics, and socio-political studies).
These sources will also be very useful for building your own personal bibliography.
Once you've retrieved the list of citations, check if the Library has the publications you're interested in and find the location details for physical titles or the access methods for online documents.
Scopus: Example of results with filters applied
Click the Check for full text @ LUISS button to see if the Library has the journal.
DoGi: Example of results with filters applied
View the list of results and select the titles you want to retrieve
The Journal Search provides a complete list of journals held by the Library, both in print and electronic formats.
Once you've retrieved your list of citations, search for the journal title to see if the Library has it and how to access it.
1. Click on the Journals section to open the Journal search
2. Enter the journal title in the search field
3. To find the physical journal on the shelf, check the availability of the different years, the location, the call number, and any gaps.
4. Click the Locate button to get a map showing the volume's location on the shelf
5. To access electronic titles, use the document’s direct link or consult the appropriate e-collection or database to verify access options and terms.
Search other catalogs
For journals not available in the Library, you can consult other national catalogs, such as ACNP or SBN.
- If the documents are available in Rome, you can contact the library that holds them directly.
- If they’re not available locally, you can submit a Document Delivery request to get a copy of the article you’re interested in.
Differences between journal articles and other publications
It's crucial to determine with certainty whether a citation refers to a monograph or a journal.
- Monographs: In volumes written by multiple authors, each contribution is generally a chapter authored by a single individual. The chapters are compiled into a single volume under the supervision of one or more editors.
- Journal articles and research reports: These present original research findings based on unpublished data and are published in scientific journals.
How to recognize citations: distinctive features
Here are some helpful tips for correctly identifying bibliographic citations:
Book chapters
They feature:
- Name of the chapter author
- Chapter title
- Name of the publication's editor
- Volume title
- Place and year of publication
- Chapter page range
Journal articles
They are characterized by:
- Author’s name
- Article title
- Journal title
- Issue number and/or year
- Page range