TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES
SCHOLARLY JOURNAL OR POPULAR MAGAZINE? HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE
Journals and magazines are important sources for information! Distinguishing between the two can be difficult! Ask at the reference desk in Evans Library if you have questions, OR consult Ulrich’s International Periodical Directory. Ulrich’s identifies the audience and characteristics of specific journal titles. Ulrich’s International Periodicals Directory Available in the library stack: Call Number Z6941 .U5 Latest volume at Evans Library Reference Desk, 1st Floor ~OR Find it ONLINE~ Go to the library’s homepage: library.tamu.edu 1. Click the “Indexes/Databases” Tab 2. Type in Ulrich’s Periodicals Directory Scholarly Journals • Generally have a serious look. • Often contain pictures, graphs, and charts. • Written by “experts” in particular fields (subject disciplines). • Report on original research or experimentation. • Often reviewed (refereed) by author’s peers before publication. • Intended audience is other scholars (researchers, professors, students) and “experts” familiar with the language of the discipline. • Credit given to sources used (i.e., citations). o In-text citations o Bibliography or reference list o Footnotes or endnotes • Published by academic presses or endorsed by professional associations.
Examples
American Historical Review JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association Journal of Applied Physics Modern Fiction Studies
Popular Magazines • Available in many formats. • Often attractive in appearance • Often contain many photographs and other eye-catching graphics. • Generally written by professional writers or journalists • Generally not written by scholarly “experts” in any one field. • Intended audience is the general public. • Language used is simple and entertaining. • Rarely credit their sources (i.e., no citations). • Published by commercial presses. • Contain advertisements. • Can be purchased at newsstands, grocery stores, and large bookstores.
Examples
Newsweek Sports Illustrated
Rolling Stone Time
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Scholarly Journal or Popular Magazine? (continued)
Categories of Research Tools and Resources
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There are 3 broad categories of research tools and resources: o o o Primary Secondary Tertiary
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These categories vary according to the subject discipline. As always, ask at one of the reference desks if you have any questions.
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Primary Sources Materials that have not been interpreted by another person. In the Humanities and Social Sciences, these materials include: Diaries Letters Memoirs Census data Questionnaires Newspapers Books written at the time of the “event” Interviews Manuscripts Surveys Other types of data Dissertations Periodical articles
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In the Physical Sciences, these materials include: Research reports Periodical articles Dissertations Trade technical bulletins Original research Patents Conference proceedings
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Original research is also being shared on the Internet via Listservs Web-based bulletin boards Electronic journals
Secondary Sources • These sources analyze, critique, report, summarize, interpret, or somehow restructure an original work (primary source). • Include reviews, reference books like encyclopedias and handbooks, and many of the forms taken by primary sources such as periodical articles and books. Tertiary Sources • Finding tools that provide access to primary and secondary sources. • Include bibliographies, periodical abstracts and indexes, literature guides, library catalogs, and lists of references or works cited.
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