MLA Journal Article Citations
Complete guide to citing journal articles, academic papers, and scholarly publications in MLA format
Basic Journal Article Citation Format
Journal articles are scholarly publications found in academic journals. They typically include volume and issue numbers, page ranges, and digital identifiers like DOIs.
Journal Article Citation TemplateEssential
Author. "Article Title." Journal Name, vol. #, no. #, Year, pp. #-#.
Example: Smith, John. "Digital Learning Methods." Education Today, vol. 45, no. 3, 2024, pp. 12-25.
Print Journal Articles
Standard Print Format
For print journal articles, include the author, article title in quotation marks, journal name in italics, volume and issue numbers, publication year, and page range.
Format:
Author. "Article Title." Journal Name, vol. #, no. #, Year, pp. #-#.
Example:
Johnson, Maria. "Innovative Teaching Strategies in Higher Education." Academic Quarterly, vol. 28, no. 4, 2024, pp. 45-62.
Volume and Issue Numbers
Always include volume numbers when available. Include issue numbers when the journal starts page numbering over with each issue.
Volume and Issue Guidelines
- • Volume only: When pages are continuous throughout the volume
- • Volume and issue: When each issue starts at page 1
- • No volume: Use issue number or date identifier
- • Season/month: Include when no volume/issue numbers exist
Online Journal Articles
Articles with DOI
For online articles with a DOI (Digital Object Identifier), include the DOI at the end of the citation. This is the preferred format for digital articles.
Format:
Author. "Article Title." Journal Name, vol. #, no. #, Year, pp. #-#, doi:10.####/####.
Example:
Chen, David. "Digital Assessment in Remote Learning." Educational Technology Review, vol. 33, no. 2, 2024, pp. 78-95, doi:10.1234/etr.2024.033002.
Articles without DOI
If no DOI is available, include the journal's website URL. Only include URLs for sources that might be difficult to locate otherwise.
Rodriguez, Ana. "Student Engagement in Online Courses." Distance Learning Journal, vol. 19, no. 1, 2024, pp. 33-48, www.distancelearning.edu/articles/engagement-2024.
Database Articles
Articles from Academic Databases
When accessing articles through academic databases like JSTOR, ProQuest, or EBSCOhost, include the database name and DOI or URL if available.
Format with DOI:
Author. "Article Title." Journal Name, vol. #, no. #, Year, pp. #-#. Database Name, doi:10.####/####.
Example:
Wilson, Sarah. "Collaborative Learning in STEM Education." Science Education Quarterly, vol. 41, no. 3, 2024, pp. 156-172. Academic Search Complete, doi:10.5678/seq.2024.041003.
Database Articles without DOI
If the database article doesn't have a DOI, include the database name and URL if it's a stable, permanent link.
Thompson, Carol. "Assessment Strategies for Online Learning." Teaching Today, vol. 15, no. 4, 2024, pp. 23-37. Education Database, www.educationdb.com/stable/assessment-strategies-2024.
Special Journal Article Types
Multiple Authors
Follow the same multiple author rules as for books: two authors connected by "and," three or more use "et al."
Garcia, Luis, and Patricia Kim. "Bilingual Education Outcomes." Language Learning Research, vol. 22, no. 1, 2024, pp. 89-104.
Anderson, Mark, et al. "Technology Integration in Elementary Schools." Primary Education Review, vol. 36, no. 2, 2024, pp. 45-63.
Special Issues
For articles from special issues of journals, include the special issue information after the regular publication details.
Martinez, Elena. "AI in Education: Current Applications." Educational Innovation, vol. 12, no. 3, 2024, pp. 78-92. Special issue on Artificial Intelligence.
Articles with No Page Numbers
Some online journals don't use traditional page numbers. Omit page numbers if they're not available, but include article numbers or other identifiers if provided.
Foster, Jennifer. "Digital Citizenship Education." Online Teaching Journal, vol. 8, no. 1, 2024, article 12, doi:10.9876/otj.2024.8.12.
In-Text Citations for Journal Articles
Basic In-Text Citations
Use the author's last name and page number for in-text citations, just like with books.
Recent research shows that "online learning can be as effective as traditional instruction" (Johnson 52).
Johnson's study demonstrates the effectiveness of digital teaching methods (52).
Articles without Page Numbers
For articles without page numbers, use only the author's name in the in-text citation.
The study confirms these findings (Foster).
Foster argues that "digital citizenship should be taught at all grade levels."
Multiple Articles by Same Author
When citing multiple articles by the same author, include a shortened version of the article title to distinguish between sources.
Early research supported this approach (Smith, "Digital Methods" 45).
Later findings refined these conclusions (Smith, "Advanced Techniques" 78).
Journal Article Citation Examples
Complete Examples
Print Journal Article:
Peterson, Laura. "Student Success in Online Environments." Higher Education Review, vol. 34, no. 2, 2024, pp. 123-145.
Online Article with DOI:
Kim, Jennifer. "Assessment in Digital Learning." Educational Research Quarterly, vol. 47, no. 1, 2024, pp. 67-89, doi:10.1234/erq.2024.47.01.
Database Article:
Brown, Michael. "Technology Integration Strategies." Teaching and Learning, vol. 29, no. 4, 2024, pp. 34-51. Education Source, doi:10.5678/tal.2024.29.04.
Multiple Authors:
Davis, Lisa, and Robert Chen. "Collaborative Learning Outcomes." Cooperative Education Journal, vol. 18, no. 3, 2024, pp. 78-95.
No Page Numbers:
Taylor, Amanda. "Mobile Learning Applications." Digital Education Today, vol. 11, no. 2, 2024, doi:10.9876/det.2024.11.02.
Common Journal Citation Mistakes
Avoid These Errors
❌ Wrong:
Smith, John. Digital Learning Methods. Education Today, vol. 45, 2024, pp. 12-25.
✅ Correct:
Smith, John. "Digital Learning Methods." Education Today, vol. 45, no. 3, 2024, pp. 12-25.
Article titles use quotation marks; journal names are italicized
❌ Wrong:
Johnson, M. "Teaching Strategies." Education Review, 2024, pp. 45-60.
✅ Correct:
Johnson, Maria. "Teaching Strategies." Education Review, vol. 33, no. 2, 2024, pp. 45-60.
Include full name, volume/issue numbers, and italicize journal name
❌ Wrong:
Chen, David. "Online Learning." Educational Technology Review, vol. 33, no. 2, (2024), pp. 78-95, DOI: 10.1234/etr.2024.033002.
✅ Correct:
Chen, David. "Online Learning." Educational Technology Review, vol. 33, no. 2, 2024, pp. 78-95, doi:10.1234/etr.2024.033002.
No parentheses around year; lowercase "doi:" without "DOI:"
❌ Wrong:
Wilson, Sarah. "STEM Education." Science Education Quarterly. 2024. pp. 156-172.
✅ Correct:
Wilson, Sarah. "STEM Education." Science Education Quarterly, vol. 41, no. 3, 2024, pp. 156-172.
Use commas between elements; include volume and issue numbers