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Research Strategies

Tip!

Two overlapping blue speech bubbles, one contains an exclamation point and the other contains the word "tip" in blue lettering.It can be difficult to distinguish between the various types of periodicals when they are in electronic format. Luckily, many databases allow researchers to search or sort results by publication type.

On the search interface of the database, look for options to limit your results by scholarly journal, peer-reviewed journals, industry publications, or similar. 

Use the information below for assistance with distinguishing types of periodicals.

Academic Journals

Also known as scholarly, refereed, or peer-reviewed journals.

Appearance: Generally have a sober, serious look. May contain graphs and charts, but few glossy pages or photographs. Use scholarly language with vocabulary specific to their profession or field.

Audience: Written for academics and professionals.

Author/Authority: Articles written by researchers or scholars in the field who report the results of original research.

Citations: Articles include footnotes and a list of citations at the end of the article.

Content: Includes scholarly research for a particular profession or industry. Articles usually contain an abstract, methodology, discussion, charts or tables, results, conclusions, and references.

Frequency: Usually published bimonthly or quarterly.

Examples:

Journal Cover - Title in black lettering over a black and white image.     Journal Cover - Title in black lettering over an illustration against a pale green background.     Journal Cover - Title in black lettering against a white background.

General Interest Magazines

Appearance: Generally attractive and illustrated with color photographs.

Audience: Written for the general public.

Author/Authority: Articles written by staff or freelance writer.

Content: Includes current events and special features.

Frequency: Usually published weekly or monthly.

Examples:

Magazine Cover - Title in yellow and red lettering over a photograph of a page with words crossed out in black.     Magazine Cover - Title in white lettering over an image of some space phenomenon.     Magazine Cover - Title in white and red lettering over a photograph of a polar bear.

Trade Magazines

Also known as industry magazines.

Appearance: Generally attractive and are often illustrated with color photographs.

Audience: Written for industry professionals.

Author/Authority: Articles written by staff writers, though the magazine may sometimes accept articles from industry professionals.

Citations: Occasionally list references at the end of the article or provide footnotes within the text.

Content: Includes current events and special features within a particular profession or industry.

Frequency: Usually published biweekly or monthly.

Examples:

Magazine Cover - Title in white lettering over a cartoon illustration.          Magazine Cover - Logo in a green box over a photograph of a pasta dish.

Newspapers

Appearance: Generally printed on newsprint in black ink.

Audience: Written for the general public.

Author/Authority: Articles written by staff writers and freelance journalists.

Citations: Will sometimes cite sources, a scholar, or a freelance writer.

Content: Includes current events and special features.

Frequency: Usually published daily or weekly.

Examples:

Front page of The New York Times which reads "US ATTACKED" over a photo of the World Trade Center on fire.     Front page of The Wall Street Journal with title in black over columns of text.