Guide to Library Research
Distinguishing Scholarly Journals from Other Periodicals
Periodicals -- Journals and magazines -- are important sources for up-to-date
information in all disciplines. It is often difficult to distinguish between
the various levels of scholarship found in periodicals. In this guide
we have divided the criteria for periodical literature into four categories:
Definitions:
According to Websters Third International Dictionary:
- scholarly is defined as concerned with academic study,
especially research,
exhibiting the methods and attitudes of a scholar, and having the manner
and appearance of a scholar;
- substantive is defined as having a solid base, being
substantial;
- popular is defined as fit for, or reflecting the
taste and intelligence of, the people at large;
- sensational is defined as arousing or intending to
arouse strong curiosity, interest or reaction.
Keeping these definitions in mind, and realizing that none of the lines
drawn between types of journals can ever be totally clear cut, the general
criteria are as follows.
Scholarly Journals
- a sober, serious look
- often contain many graphs and charts but few glossy pages or exciting
pictures
- 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
- language is that of the discipline covered - it assumes some scholarly
background on the part of the reader
- main purpose 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
- Journal of Marriage and the Family (published by the National Council
on Family Relations)
- Modern Fiction Studies
- Sex Roles: A Journal of Research
Substantive News or General Interest
- may be quite attractive in appearance, although some are in newspaper
format
- often heavily illustrated, generally with photographs
- 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
- language is geared to any educated audience - no specialty assumed,
only interest and a certain level of intelligence
- generally published by commercial enterprises or individuals, although
some emanate from specific professional organizations
- main purpose is to provide information, in a general manner, to a
broad audience of concerned citizens
Examples of Substantive News or General Interest Periodicals:
- Christian Science Monitor
- Economist
- National Geographic
- New York Times
- Scientific American
- Vital Speeches of the Day
Popular Periodicals
- many formats, although often somewhat slick and attractive in appearance
- lots of graphics (photographs, drawings, etc.)
- rarely, if ever, cite sources. Information published is often second
or third hand and the original source is sometimes obscure.
- articles are usually very short, written in simple language and are
designed to meet a minimal education level - generally little depth
to the content
- main purpose 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
Sensational Periodicals
- a variety of styles, but often use a newspaper format
- language is elementary and occasionally inflamatory or sensational
-they assume a certain gullibility in their audience
- main purpose seems to be to arouse curiosity and to cater to popular
superstitions - often with flashy headlines designed to astonish (e.g.
Half-man Half-woman Makes Self Pregnant).
Examples of Sensational Periodicals
- Globe
- National Enquirer
- Star
- Weekly World News
|
|
