Journals and magazines are important sources for up-to-date information in all disciplines. With a periodical collection as large and diverse as the collection at the MSOE Library, it is often difficult to distinguish between the various levels of scholarship found in the collection. This section of the tutorial divides the criteria for periodical literature into five categories:
- Scholarly (from Cornell University Library)
- Substantive News/General Interest (from Cornell University Library)
- Trade
- Popular (from Cornell University Library)
- Sensational (from Cornell University Library)
Scholarly journals generally have a sober, serious look. They often contain many graphs and charts, but few glossy pages or exciting pictures, and few, if any, advertisements.
Scholarly journals always cite their sources in the form of footnotes or bibliographies. Articles are written by a scholar in the field or by someone who has done research in the field.
The language of scholarly journals is that of the discipline covered. It assumes some scholarly background on the part of the reader.
The main purpose of a scholarly journal is to report on original research or experimentation in order to make such information available to the rest of the scholarly world.
Many scholarly journals, though by no means all, are published by a specific professional organization.
Examples of Scholarly Journals
American Economic Review
JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association
Modern Fiction Studies
Sex Roles: A Journal of Research
Substantive News/General Interest
These periodicals may be quite attractive in appearance, although some are in newspaper format. Articles are often heavily illustrated, generally with photographs.
News and general interest periodicals sometimes cite sources, though more often do not.
Articles may be written by a member of the editorial staff, a scholar, or a free-lance writer.
The language of these publications is geared to any educated audience. No specific specialty is assumed, only interest and a certain level of intelligence.
They are generally published by commercial enterprises or individuals, although some emanate from specific professional organizations.
The main purpose of periodicals in this category is to provide information, in a general manner, to a broad audience of concerned citizens.
Examples of Substantive News/General Interest Periodicals
Christian Science Monitor
Economist
National Geographic
New York Times
Scientific American
Vital Speeches of the Day
Trade periodicals are targeted for readers in specific industries or specialties of industries.
These journals may be attractive and illustrated with photographs.
Trade journals contain practical information of interest to people in particular industries.
Most articles generally do not cite sources.
Examples of Trade Periodicals
American Machinist
Aberdeen’s Concrete Construction
Advanced Materials and Processes
Popular periodicals come in many formats, although often somewhat slick and attractive in appearance. They contain many graphics (photographs, drawings, etc.).
These publications rarely, if ever, cite sources. Information published in such journals is often second- or third-hand and the original source is sometimes obscure.
Articles are usually short and of little depth in content, written in simple language, and designed to meet a minimal education level.
The main purpose of popular periodicals is to entertain the reader, to sell products (their own or their advertisers), and/or to promote a viewpoint.
Examples of Popular Periodicals
Ebony
Parents
People Weekly
Readers Digest
Sports Illustrated
Time
Vogue
Sensational periodicals come in a variety of styles, but often use a newspaper format.
Their language is elementary and occasionally inflammatory or sensational. They assume a certain gullibility in their audience.
The main purpose of sensational magazines seems to be to arouse curiosity and to cater to popular superstitions. They often do so with flashy headlines designed to astonish readers.
Examples of Sensational Periodicals
GlobeNational Examiner
Star
Weekly World News