Frequently Asked Question about
Research at McFarlin Library
I have some journal citations, but the journal name is abbreviated. How can I find out what the abbreviation stands for?
Answer:
Many bibliographies and indexes (especially print indexes) use abbreviations when citing the title of a journal in which an item appeared. This is generally done to conserve space. In most cases a "key", or list of abbreviations used, appears in the front or the back of the book.
Online databases generally do not use abbreviations in this way, although there are exceptions. You may want to try JournalSeek.
If you have an abbreviated title, there are two sources available in the McFarlin Reference Collection that may help. Each one lists abbreviations in alphabetical order and then gives the full title, meaning, or phrase next to it.
- Periodical title abbreviations (Ready Ref PN4832.A44)
- Acronyms, Initialisms & Abbreviations Dictionary (Ref P365.A28)
Both are shelved in the Ready Reference area next to the Reference Desk.
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