Journal articles are scholarly sources that explore very specific topics, usually through research.
Many, although not all, journal articles undergo a peer review process where the quality is checked prior to publication. The author’s credentials are provided, allowing you to form judgements about their expertise and authority to be writing about the topic. References in the article provide supporting evidence, enabling readers to find related research.
They can be produced quickly, within weeks, allowing fast access to current information.
When you already know the journal article details, you can use Library Search to find the article. For example, you can use the following reference information to locate the article. This one is in Chicago referencing style:
McBride, Timothy C., Aaron Organ, and Elizabeth Pryde. 2019. "Range Extension of Leadbeater's Possum (Gymnobelideus Leadbeateri)." Australian Mammalogy 42, no.1 (February): 96-102.
Note: Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) are unique strings of alphanumeric characters that form a persistent link to individual publications. They are assigned to different resources when they are published electronically, including journal articles, books and chapters. Note: not all publications have a DOI. DOIs offer persistence and permanence that standard URLs do not, making them an important tool when locating resources.
Library Search searches across most subscribed databases with online links to materials held at Murdoch.
To test your knowledge of the library resources discussed in Exercise 3 Journal Articles, please go to Quiz 3 - Journal Articles on the Quizzes page.