Check out these tutorials and guides to assist you with the research process. If you need additional assistance, please contact the help desk at 270-901-1171.
A periodical is any title that is printed or published periodically. This can be a daily, weekly, monthly, or annual publication. Because of the frequency of their publication, periodicals are a good source of current information.
Scholarly Journals are written by scholars or professionals who are experts in their fields, are peer reviewed, and are published in a recognized scholarly source, like a journal or by a university publisher. They are also known as peer-reviewed journals or academic journals.
Popular Magazines are periodicals that contain information and opinions about popular culture and up-to-date information on current events. They are meant to inform and entertain the general public.
Trade Journals are periodicals published with the intention of marketing ideas, products, or services, to a specific industry or type of trade/business.
Newspapers are serial publications that contain news on current events of special or general interest. Traditionally newspapers are printed on newsprint paper; but, with the advent of digital publishing, digital newspapers are also being published.
Each of these types of periodicals serves a different purpose. It is important that you understand those purposes so you know when to use them for assignments.
Look at the covers. Are they plain or eye-catching?
Is there an abstract (summary), charts or graphs, and references?
Are the articles short or long?
