A Guide to Library Research:
Types of Periodicals
Julie Still, Reference Librarian
Popular
- Easily purchased on newsstands
- Articles written by staff writers or free lance writers
- Glossy in appearance with color ads
- Seldom include list of sources
- Level of writing geared to general population
Examples:
|
Newsweek
People
Sports Illustrated
Vogue |
Professional or Trade
- Written for (and usually by) people in a specific line of work
- Assumes some knowledge of the field
- Not usually available on the newsstand
- Sometimes list sources or bibliography
- Often published by a professional association
Examples:
|
American Libraries
Mathematics Teacher
Police Chief
Principal |
Substantive News
- Often glossy in appearance with color illustrations
- Sometimes list sources or bibliography
- Usually available on the newsstand
- Level of writing geared to educated or well-read audience
Examples:
|
Economist
National Geographic
Scientific American
Wilson Quarterly |
Scholarly
- Few illustrations other than charts and graphs
- Articles written by scholars or researchers in the field
- Always lists sources or bibliography
- Reports on original research or experimentation
- Often published by a university, research center or professional association
Examples:
|
American Economic Review
JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association
Modern Fiction Studies
Sex Roles: A Journal of Research |
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