How to Cite Sources from the JSTOR Database (APA/MLA/Chicago)

Published On - September 11, 2025

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When writing any academic or research-based work, proper citation of sources is essential. JSTOR, a widely used digital library of scholarly articles, books, and primary sources, is a trusted repository for academic content across disciplines. Whether you’re writing a term paper, a thesis, or a literature review, citing JSTOR sources correctly in APA, MLA, or Chicago style ensures credibility and avoids plagiarism.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to cite materials retrieved from the JSTOR database using APA (7th edition), MLA (9th edition), and Chicago (17th edition) styles. Each citation format has unique rules, but with a clear understanding and practical examples, the citation process can become a seamless part of research writing.

Understanding JSTOR and Its Source Types

JSTOR houses a collection of peer-reviewed journal articles, books, book chapters, research reports, and primary source documents. When citing from JSTOR, it’s crucial to determine the type of source being referenced—whether it’s an article, a book chapter, or a full book. This classification informs how the citation should be constructed in different writing styles.

Citing JSTOR Sources in APA Style (7th Edition)

The APA style is primarily used in the social sciences. When citing a journal article from JSTOR, one should include the author(s), year of publication, title of the article, journal name, volume, issue, page range, and a stable URL.

General Format for Journal Articles:

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the article. Title of Journal, volume(issue), page range. https://doi.org/XXXX OR stable JSTOR URL

Example:

Smith, J. A. (2019). Economic reform in the post-war era. Journal of Economic History, 58(3), 445–468. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2846721

Note: If no DOI is provided, use the stable URL provided by JSTOR.

Additional Tips for APA:

  • Use sentence case for article titles (capitalize only the first word and proper nouns).
  • Italicize journal titles and volume numbers.
  • Always include a retrieval link if possible.

Citing JSTOR Sources in MLA Style (9th Edition)

The MLA format is commonly used in the humanities. In this style, the citation includes the author, title of the article in quotation marks, journal title in italics, volume and issue numbers, publication year, page range, and the complete JSTOR link.

General Format for Journal Articles:

Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Article.” Title of Journal, vol. number, no. number, Year, pp. page range. JSTOR, URL.

Example:

Brown, Sarah J. “Feminist Perspectives in Modern Literature.” Modern Literary Studies, vol. 42, no. 2, 2020, pp. 123–145. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/2678912.

Additional Tips for MLA:

  • Use italics for journal titles.
  • Place article titles in quotation marks.
  • “JSTOR” should be listed as the database name before the URL.

Citing JSTOR Sources in Chicago Style (17th Edition)

Chicago style offers two citation systems: Notes and Bibliography, and Author-Date. The Notes and Bibliography system is commonly used in the humanities, while Author-Date is more popular in the sciences.

Notes and Bibliography Format (for Journal Articles):

Footnote:

1. Firstname Lastname, “Article Title,” Journal Name volume, no. issue (Year): page range, https://www.jstor.org/stable/XXXXXXX.

Bibliography Entry:

Lastname, Firstname. “Article Title.” Journal Name volume, no. issue (Year): page range. https://www.jstor.org/stable/XXXXXXX.

Example:

1. John P. Doe, “Philosophy and Education in the 19th Century,” Journal of Historical Thought 22, no. 3 (2018): 334–350, https://www.jstor.org/stable/24568910.

Doe, John P. “Philosophy and Education in the 19th Century.” Journal of Historical Thought 22, no. 3 (2018): 334–350. https://www.jstor.org/stable/24568910.

Author-Date Format:

In-text: (Doe 2018, 334)

Doe, John P. 2018. “Philosophy and Education in the 19th Century.” Journal of Historical Thought 22 (3): 334–350. https://www.jstor.org/stable/24568910.

Differences in Citing Books or Book Chapters from JSTOR

Besides journal articles, JSTOR also offers access to books and book chapters. These should be cited depending on their format in each style. The key distinction is whether one is referencing an entire book or a specific chapter.

APA Example for a Book:

Lastname, A. A. (Year). Title of book. Publisher. https://www.jstor.org/stable/XXXX

MLA Example for a Book Chapter:

Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Chapter.” Title of the Book, edited by Editor’s Name, Publisher, Year, pp. xx–xx. JSTOR, URL.

Chicago Notes & Bibliography for a Book Chapter:

Lastname, Firstname. “Chapter Title.” In Title of Book, edited by Editor Name, page range. City: Publisher, Year. https://www.jstor.org/stable/XXXX.

Best Practices for Using JSTOR Citations

  • Always double-check the citation for punctuation, italicization, and spacing.
  • Use the “Cite This Item” tool on JSTOR as a starting point but verify it against current citation guides.
  • Use persistent URLs from JSTOR to ensure lasting access.
  • Always consult your institution’s guidelines, as professors may have specific citation preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I use JSTOR’s automatic citation tool?

Yes, JSTOR provides tools for generating citations in various formats. However, these should be treated as a starting point. Ensure they comply with the latest edition of your required citation style by cross-checking with official style guides.

2. What if my JSTOR source doesn’t have a DOI?

Use the stable URL provided by JSTOR. It is located on the article’s landing page and is preferred over session-based URLs that may expire.

3. Do I need to note that my source came from the JSTOR database?

In most citation styles, you do include the database (e.g., JSTOR) in the citation, especially in MLA. APA and Chicago styles typically prioritize the URL or DOI over naming the database explicitly.

4. Are page numbers required for all JSTOR citations?

Yes, if the source has pagination—such as journal articles and book chapters—you should always include the page range as it helps locate the specific material cited.

5. How should multiple authors be listed in the citation?

Each style has its own rules:

  • APA: Use an ampersand (&) between two authors’ names, and list up to 20 authors before using “et al.”
  • MLA: List names in the order presented, and use “et al.” after the first author if there are more than three authors.
  • Chicago: List all names for up to three authors; use “et al.” for four or more.

Conclusion

Properly citing sources from the JSTOR database is a cornerstone of effective scholarly writing. With familiarity and practice, navigating between