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Types of Periodicals: Scholarly

Uses and features of journals, magazines, and newspapers.

Types of Periodicals

Examples of Scholarly Journals

Things to look for:

  1. Clearly named author(s) and title,  (letters to the editor, opinions and newsbriefs are usually not acceptable)
  2. the author's academic credentials,
  3. tables, charts, graphs
  4. and lengthy references at the end.

Also notice there are no ads.

Access Tools (Examples)

Scholarly Journal Characteristics

  • Reports of original research, theoretical, experimental or applied
  • In-depth analysis of topics
  • Lengthy articles
  • Substantial book reviews
  • Many are refereed/peer-reviewed

Screenshot taken from: Jozaghi, E., & Andresen, M. A. (2013). Should North America's first and only supervised injection facility (InSite) be expanded in British Columbia, Canada?. Harm Reduction Journal, 10(1), 1-9. doi:10.1186/1477-7517-10-1

Here are a couple more examples:

  • Written for a college-educated audience
  • Uses the technical vocabulary of the discipline

Screenshot taken from: Gartus, A., Klemer, N., & Leder, H. (2015). The effects of visual context and individual differences on perception and evaluation of modern art and graffiti art. Acta Psychologica, 156: 64-76. doi:10.1016/j.actpsy.2015.01.005

  • Researchers
  • Academics
  • Scholars

Screenshot from: Lianping, T., & Kerr, T. (2014). The impact of harm reduction on HIV and illicit drug use. Harm Reduction Journal, 11(1), 1-5. doi:10.1186/1477-7517-11-7

  • Footnotes & bibliographies
  • Documentation often very extensive

Screenshot taken from: Jozaghi, E., & Andresen, M. A. (2013). Should North America's first and only supervised injection facility (InSite) be expanded in British Columbia, Canada?. Harm Reduction Journal, 10(1), 1-9. doi:10.1186/1477-7517-10-1

  • Professional organizations
  • Universities
  • Research institutes
  • Scholarly presses
  • Graphs, charts & tables
  • Ads are very rare

Screenshot taken from: Jozaghi, E., & Andresen, M. A. (2013). Should North America's first and only supervised injection facility (InSite) be expanded in British Columbia, Canada?. Harm Reduction Journal, 10(1), 1-9. doi:10.1186/1477-7517-10-1

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