Articles


Popular Magazines
and
Scholarly Journals

aka
Periodicals

Periodicals


Publications which are issued at least twice a year, including journals, magazines, and newspapers are called periodicals. 


Western Libraries highlights select current issues of popular magazines and newspapers in the daylight lounge, Wilson 2E, and on the third floor of Haggard - which is where you can find most back issues too. 


Others are located in the basement.

Microfilm


Many newspaper back issues are  available on microfilm. Use the microfilm readers to use these materials.

Popular magazine 

or 

scholarly journal


Periodicals are frequently broken into two main types.

You may also hear about trade journals.


Know how to recognize each type

so that you

match your need

with the right source

use popular sources


When getting started, gathering ideas, and keeping current.

Also good when investigating public perception
and popular events and topics.

Popular sources are not always off limits for
you school work, but use sparingly
and when appropriate.

Use Scholarly sources


When gathering in-depth information, following 
the latest academic research, and tracing
the history of an event or topic.

Scholarly sources are written for specialized
audiences and are composed of technical
language, charts, and statistics.

When new to a discipline, use reading strategies
to get the most out of them, while 
avoiding getting overwhelmed.

Popular Soures


Intended audience is the general public 

Examples: National Geographic, Sports Illustrated, 
Wired, Rolling Stone 

Typically issued monthly or weekly 


Popular Sources



Articles are usually shorter than scholarly journals and cover a range of topics 


Research and current issues are broadly summarized 


Contain many photographs and advertisements

Scholarly Sources


Many, but not all, have Journal in the title, like 
Journal of American Dental Association 


Typically sponsored by an academic or 
professional organization 


Examples: Journal of American History, 
Music Quarterly, Foreign Affairs

Scholarly Sources


Intended audience of specialized scholars, 
researchers, and professionals 


Typically published quarterly or monthly 


Long, in-depth articles cover a narrow topic 


Dense writing with few pictures or advertisements

Articles

By Western Libraries

Articles

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