Types of Periodicals

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

Author/Authority: Articles written by researchers or scholars in the field who report the results of original research. Other scholars evaluate the research before publication to assure its accuracy, called "peer-review."

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.

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.

Frequency: Usually published bimonthly or quarterly.

Examples:

Used with permission of Peabody Library, Vanderbilt University (3:12 length). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysPDZGj3cRA

For a complete listing of magazines, journals and newspapers accessible at the Hewes Library, visit the Periodicals A to Z List. 

Used with permission of Kishwaukee College Library (5:10 length).  Retrieved from https://youtu.be/EEVftUdfKtQ.

Used with permission of Peabody Library, Vanderbilt University (3:12 length). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysPDZGj3cRA

For a complete listing of magazines, journals and newspapers accessible at the Hewes Library, visit the Periodicals A to Z List. 

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, may sometimes accept articles from industry professionals. Not peer-reviewed.

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

Content: Include current events, trends, and news within a particular profession or industry.

Frequency: Usually published biweekly or monthly.

Examples:

Used with permission of Harris Learning Library (3:51 length). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6DI7ZiGkVQ&feature=youtu.be.

Used with permission of Peabody Library, Vanderbilt University (3:12 length). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysPDZGj3cRA

Used with permission of Kishwaukee College Library (5:10 length).  Retrieved from https://youtu.be/EEVftUdfKtQ.

Used with permission of Kishwaukee College Library (5:10 length).  Retrieved from https://youtu.be/EEVftUdfKtQ.

For a complete listing of magazines, journals and newspapers accessible at the Hewes Library, visit the Periodicals A to Z List. 

Used with permission of Gumberg Library 

Used with permission of Gumberg Library 

"Confirmation bias, the tendency to process information by looking for information that is consistent with one’s existing beliefs."

from: "Confirmation Bias" - Encyclopaedia Britannica 

When you research, ask yourself:

1. How did I find these sources?
2. Are all my sources from the same type of source?
   • news vs. scholarly source
   • diverse media outlets (AdFontes Media Bias Chart)
3. Do all my sources say the same thing?
4. What might someone who disagrees with me say?

Research Tips

• Always evaluate a source for validity
• Try more than one search with multiple keywords
  • How might a search for "pro-choice" be different than "anti-abortion" or "pro-life"?