Journals Department Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get a copy of an article in an APA journal?
2. How can I order a single issue of a journal?
3. How can I subscribe to a journal?
4. How do I update my mailing address for the journal(s) I subscribe to?
5. I have a specific copyright and/or permission question; who do I ask?
6. How do I submit an article for publication?
7. Where can I find information on APA style?
8. How can I get information on a particular subject for my research project?

For all subscription questions not covered here, please see the Subscriptions and Single Issues page.

1. How do I get a copy of an article in an APA journal?

Check your local public library or college/university library. They may have the journal or book on their shelves, or they may have access to PsycARTICLES. If not, they may be able to get the article for you through interlibrary loan.

APA members have several options for individual access to PsycARTICLES. To view prices and order, please visit the APA Electronic Products page.

If you are not an APA member, you may purchase access to APA Gold for access to multiple APA databases, or purchase individual articles through PsycARTICLES Direct, APA's database of full-text journal articles. You can view abstracts of the articles at no charge and decide if you want to purchase the full-text article for a nominal "per article" fee. For more information, please visit the PsycARTICLES homepage.

For a specific list of journals and years covered, please visit the PsycARTICLES Coverage List web page.

Please note: The specialty journals that are published jointly with EPF have different coverage ranges than APA's publications, normally because the APA took over publication some time after the journal was started and only holds the copyright for the articles published since it became the publisher. To track down earlier articles, you may wish to contact your institutional library, APA Library, the APA Order Department, or the former publisher of the journal.

Additional resources for obtaining journal articles can be found at Getting Full Text for Documents Found in PsycINFO.

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2. How can I order a single issue of a journal?

To order a journal issue by phone with your credit card and/or to obtain availability information, please contact the Order Department at 1-800-374-2721.

Single issues are $20.00 each, plus shipping (see chart below). Special Issues may be higher.

Please note that we only carry the previous 5 years, plus the current year.

Issues published on special topics may be available longer. Visit the Special Issues listings page.

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3. How can I subscribe to a journal?

APA members and affiliates can order online. If you are not an APA member or affiliate or you prefer not to order online, please print the Order Form (PDF:12KB), fill it out, and mail or fax it to:

American Psychological Association
Subscriptions
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242

Fax (202) 336-5568
Phone (202) 336-5600
No collect calls, please.

Email: Subscriptions Department

Pricing and subscription information for

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4. How do I update my mailing address for the journal(s) I subscribe to?

Send an e-mail to the Subscriptions Department with all the information located on your mailing label, and your new address.

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5. I have a specific copyright and/or permission question; who do I ask?

View APA's copyright and permissions policy, as well as inside the front cover of any APA journal.

To request permission to use APA copyrighted material, fill out the form at the Copyright and Permissions page and email or send it to

Permissions Office E-mail

Permissions Office
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242

Fax: 202-336-5633
Phone: 202-336-5650

There is sometimes a delay in the final reply depending on the complexity of the request. If you have a deadline, please note it on the form.

Questions about APA's copyright and permissions policies can be sent to the above address or can be e-mailed to the Permissions Office.

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6. How do I submit an article for publication?

You must first choose the journal in which you would like to publish. You can access an alphabetical list of all of the journals APA publishes. This list is also available organized by subject area.

Once you have established which journal you wish to use, go to the homepage for that particular journal. On the homepage for the journal, there should be a link on the upper-right side of the screen that says "Instructions to authors." Follow this link for information on submission of your article to this journal.

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7. Where can I find information on APA style?

The primary reference for APA style is the fifth edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Information on this book and several companion products can be found on the APA Style web site.

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8. How can I get information on a particular subject for my research project?

APA's bibliographic databases and printed indexes provide summaries of journal articles, book chapters, books, and other scholarly documents in psychology and related disciplines. The bibliographic literature references are accessible via the PsycINFO database, the full text databases, PsycARTICLES, and PsycBOOKS.

Many university libraries and other research institutions subscribe or provide access to one or more of APA's resources. For more information on individual access (APA members or non-members), please go to Database Access Options for Individuals.

The online pamphlet, "Library Research in Psychology: Finding It Easily," will steer you toward additional resources.

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