Databases

How to Find and Copy Persistent URL's

Whether or not your professor requires you to attach persistent URLs from your sources, all of your instructors will appreciate you making their grading easier by providing direct links to the journal articles you use. The screen shots below are for the EBSCO databases, but all of the databases use a similar process. If you have problems, email or call Sarah Clark.

Step 1:

In the results list for your search, click on the title of the article you want to cite.

Step 2:

Scroll down to find the “persistent link to this record” located between the accession number and the database searched.

Step 3:

Click and drag to select the entire URL, right click on it, and select copy from the pop-up menu.

Step 4:

Go to the Word document or other document where you would like to insert the link. Put your cursor where you would like the link to be inserted, right click, and select paste.

Step 5:

The text of the link should now be inserted into your citation. However, Word needs to be told to turn this string of text into a hyperlink so that your professor can click on this link and be taken directly to the article you are citing (Instructors must be on campus or logged into the campus VPN for the link to work properly). Select the entire link as described in step 3, right click, and select hyperlink from the pop-up menu.

Step 6:

Take a careful look at the text in the “text to display” and “address” boxes. The text in both boxes should be identical. If there are differences (this can happen when working off-campus), change the “address” text to match the “text to display”. Click OK to turn the text into a working hyperlink.

The finished product: Your Citation should now look something like this. Note: this citation reflects the Turabian style format. Follow the style format requested by your professor/department. More information on citing online resources.

Markels, Alex. 2007. “Down and Out in New Orleans”. Newsweek 143, issue 8 (Sep. 10): 12-13. On-Line.

Available From Internet.

If you run into any problems with this process, contact the Library and we will be happy to help you with persistent URLs or with any of your other research needs. Good Luck!