Periodicals cover a wide spectrum of utility. Many are written for a general audience whose readers are not expected to have specialized knowledge or training. We usually call these periodicals magazines. However, probably even more periodicals are written for specialists and have articles that cannot be readily understood by readers who lack that background. These periodicals written for a scholarly audience are called journal or scholarly journals. Being able to identify different types of periodicals can help you determine their usefuleness for your projects (especially if you're required to use "scholarly" or "peer-reviewed" articles for a paper).
The following classifications can help you identify periodicals and determine their usefulness for your projects.
Scholarly Journals: The purpose of scholarly journals is to inform other scholars of research findings. Some knowledge of the subject terminology is required.
Authors are experts (professors, researchers, or scholars) in their field.
Content tends to be highly specialized and includes research projects, methodology and theory.
Appearance is sober and serious. The tone is set by a plain cover on plain paper and simple black and white graphics and illustrations.
Advertising is minimal or nonexistent.
Language will include terms specific to the field. Assumes some scholarly knowledge by the reader.
Sources are always cited.
Publishers include research organizations and universities.
Pagination tends to be consecutive within one volume, which may contain several separate issues.
Examples: American Economic Review, Archives of Sexual Behavior,JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, Plasma Physics, and Modern Fiction Studies.
Access Tools are specialized/disciplinary databases: JSTOR, Art Abstracts, MLA, PsycINFO, Project Muse, Biological Sciences, etc. OR general databases: Electronic Collection Online (ECO), Academic Search Elite, etc.Peer reviewed and refereed journals: Within scholarly journals are more scholarly and prestigious peer reviewed and refereed journals. Articles in peer reviewed journals have been impartially evaluated by several researchers or subject specialists in the academic community prior to being accepted for publication. Articles in refereed journals have the evaluated by at least one subject specialist prior to acceptance for publication. Articles usually have distinct sections: introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusions, and steps for further research.
Trade and Professional Journals examine news,
trends, and issues for a specific business, industry or organization.
Authors can be professionals in the field or journalists working for the publisher.
Content includes industry tends, new products or techniques, and organizational news.
Appearance is marked by a glossy cover, color pictures and illustrations, a cover depicting an industrial setting.
Advertisements tend to be related to the specific industry or trade.
Language will include terms specific to the field.
Sources may be cited.
Pagination starts at one with each issue.
Examples: Nursing, Advertising Age, Chronicles of Higher Education, Science Teacher, and Automotive News.
Access Tools are business indexes: ABI-Inform Trade & Industry, Business Source Elite, etc.; often same indexes used for scholarly journals such as ERIC
Commentary and Opinion Journals examine social
or politcal issues.
Authors can be academics, journalists or organization representatives.
Content may include liberal or conservative veiwpoints, and may contain speeches, interviews, or reviews.
Appearance varies widely; some appear plain, other are very glossy.
Advertising is moderate.
Language is written for general educated audience.
Sources are sometimes cited and may be included within the text.
Publishers are commercial publishers or non-profit organizations.
Pagination starts with one with each issue.
Examples: National Review, New Republic, and Progressive.
Access Tools: PAIS and Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature.
News/Newspapers: The main purpose is to
provide information to a broad audience. No prior subject knowledge is necessary.
Authors are usually free lance writers or journalist, but can be scholars.
Content can be news or human interest, either narrowly or broadly covered.
Appearance can be slick and attractive, although some are in newspaper format. Articles are often heavily illustrated, generally with color photographs.
Advertising can be moderate or heavy, and includes unrelated products.
Language is geared toward an educated audience.
Sources are sometimes cited, but not always.
Publishers are usually commercial enterprises or individuals; although some emanate from specific professional organizations.
Examples: The Economist, National Geographic, the New York Times, Scientific American, Psychology Today, and Natural History.
Access Tools: ABI/Inform-ProQuest Newspapers, Newspaper Abstracts and Newspaper Source.
Popular Magazines: These magazines are designed
to entertain, sell products, give practical information, and/or to promote a
viewpoint.
Authors are journalists, not experts. Articles may be unsigned or generated from corporate press releases.
Content includes popular personalities, news, and general interest articles.
Appearance is marked by glossy covers and lots of color illustrations and photographs. Articles are generally short.
Advertising is heavy.
Language is simple and designed to meet a minimal education level.
Sources may be second or third hand, and the original source is sometimes obscure.
Publishers are commercial enterprises.
Examples: Time, People Weekly, Readers Digest, Sports Illustrated, and Vogue.
Access Tools: Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature, Periodical Abstracts.
Sensational/Tabloid: The main purpose if sensational magazines is to arouse curiosity and to cater to popular superstitions.
Authors are concerned with grabbing attention, not accuracy.
Content includes popular personalities, superstitions, diets and other fads.
Appearance is usually a newspaper format; can also be a glossy style magazine. Tabloids often use flashy headlines and manipulated illustrations or photographs designed to astonish readers.
Advertising is heavy.
Language is elementary and can be inflammatory or sensational.
Sources are rarely revealed, often nonexistent.
Publishers are commercial enterprises.
Examples: the Star, the National Enquirer, and the World Weekly News.
Not sure which category your periodical is in? Ulrich's
International Periodicals Directory (Z6941 U5 READY REF) defines
"Document type" and for a complete listing of magazines, journals and newspapers
.
How to find periodicals?
A good place to start is the list of databases found under
UAF's Online
Resources
, on the Rasmuson Library home page. Subject specific indexes such as
ERIC for educational materials, PsychInfo, or MLA can be counted on for
good, scholarly materials.
Material may be quoted or reproduced for educational purposes without prior permission, provided appropriate credit is given. Any commercial use of the material is prohibited without prior permission from the Rasmuson Library.
Modified/Created: 8/01, S. Hahn
