A Closer Look at Periodicals

We discussed earlier the types of resources that your professor wanted you to use in your research.

She said that she wanted peer-reviewed resources.

Periodicals are the most common source of peer-reviewed content.

However, there are several types of periodicals that you will come across while doing research.

Each type can contribute to your research in a specific way.

Popular Magazines

A magazine is “a printed collection of texts (essays, articles, stories, poems), often illustrated, that is produced at regular intervals (excluding newspapers).”1

1magazine. (2011). In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/356421/magazine

What makes a popular periodical?

• Articles are written by journalists.

• Found at most bookstores.• Usually illustrated with color

glossy photos.• Good for background

information.

Trade and Technical PeriodicalTrade and technical journals and magazines serve those working in industry and commerce…. Major discoveries in science, manufacturing methods, or business practice tend to create a new subdivision of technology, with its own practitioners and, more often than not, its own magazine. Articles in these magazines tend to be highly factual and accurately written, by people deeply immersed in their subjects. 2

2history of publishing. (2011). In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/482597/publishing

What makes a trade periodical?

• Written by journalists who are familiar with the field.

• Articles tend toward business and marketing side of the profession.

• Good for background information.

Scholarly• Scholarly journal articles are written by and

for professional experts in a particular subject area.

• Many are published by academic institutions or professional organizations.

• They present original research, experiments or theories.

• Articles provide authoritative and verifiable information acceptable for a research paper.

Peer-Reviewed Journal

• We discussed earlier that q peer-reviewed periodical is a specific type of scholarly publication that requires each article submitted for publication be judged by an independent panel of experts (scholarly or scientific peers).

• Articles not approved by a majority of these peers are not accepted for publication by the journal.

Finding Scholarly Articles

• The library offers many subscription services that provide a means to search and discover journals and articles.

• Some databases are comprised entirely of scholarly journals.

• Other databases offer a wide range of materials and the researcher must learn to discern and evaluate the type of journal article and information found.

Check the Box!Many subscription databases like EBSCOhost provide a convenient checkbox that limits all search results to peer-reviewed journals.

Some offer filters on the results list to eliminate everything except peer-reviewed journals.

All Peer-Reviewed!

Some subscription databases, like Sage Premier and JSTOR offer access to peer-reviewed journals exclusively.

Although the journals will contain reviews and editorials that have not undergone the peer-review process.

Anatomy of a Peer-Reviewed Article

Scholarly articles generally speaking follow the same logic in presentation.

Abstract – tells the purpose and briefly discusses the content of the article.

Keywords – highlight major concepts.

Author – clearly states the author’s credentials and affiliations.

Beginning and Ending of a Scholarly Article

Introduction – states clearly the direction of the article.

Conclusion – recaps and finalizes the author’s opinion based upon the evidence of the research.

The BodyOutline – article follows a logical progression clearly marked out by section headings.

Citations – throughout the article opinion is thoroughly backed by documented research.

Research EvidenceReferences – listed at the end of the paper demonstrate the works used to build the author’s argument and conclusions.

ConclusionGenerally scholarly peer-reviewed articles follow the same plan.

• Author’s Credentials and Affiliation• Abstract (article in short form)• Keywords• Introduction (statement of purpose and

direction)• Body (with citations to defend the argument)• Conclusion (summation and final defense of

the argument)• References (all the research used by the

author)

Next we’ll look at books for academic research.

We’ll answer the question“Do we still need books?”