P ERIODICALS Lesson 1 An Introduction to Periodicals

W HAT IS A P ERIODICAL ? Periodicals are publications that are published at regularly scheduled times (Eland, 2002). Periodicals can include: Newspapers Pop Culture Magazines Scholarly Journals Trade Journals

W HY DO I NEED TO USE A P ERIODICAL ? Whenever you start a research project, you will need to find information about your topic. Periodicals are great sources of information for several reasons. 1. Periodicals provide current and up-to-date information. 2. Periodicals can be very topic specific while at the same time cover a great many topics. 3. Periodicals are usually easy to access.

W HAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF P ERIODICALS ? Newspapers Newspapers are publications that are usually published daily or in some cases, weekly. Newspapers can be local or regional publications, or even national papers. Some newspapers have specific topic about which their stories and features are written. Newspapers typically have issues or content online as well. Newspapers typically inform readers of current local, regional, and at times international news, as well as local and regional events. Newspapers generally contain entertainment news and features. Newspaper articles are normally written by reporters, journalists, and editors.

W HAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF N EWSPAPERS ? Local & Regional, Daily Local & Weekly National, Daily Local & Weekly, Dallas only, major focus on investigative reporting, entertainment, & lifestyle

W HAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF M AGAZINES ? Popular Culture Magazines Popular Culture Magazines are usually published weekly or monthly. They can provide information from interviews published in the magazines and current events, and news stories. Be sure to watch for bias in some magazines. These magazines typically have issues or content online as well. Popular culture magazines usually serve to inform readers about current events and news stories, special interest topics, entertainment and lifestyle stories. Magazine articles normally written by reporters, journalists, and editors.

W HAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF J OURNALS ? Scholarly Journals Scholarly journals are an excellent sources of information for several reasons. Scholarly journals typically inform readers about the latest research and discoveries in a particular field, as well as techniques and practices. They are usually published monthly or quarterly. Articles are normally written by researchers, practitioners, and other professionals in an academic field. 1. Scholarly journals are usually easy to access through campus databases. Some journals are available online, but may require a subscription. 2. Scholarly journals are usually “peer-reviewed”. This means that professionals or experts, other than the author, have read and reviewed the article and data presented in the article for accuracy and bias. Because of this peer review process, only the best and most accurate articles are published, which then means that scholarly journals are one of the best sources of information. 3. Nearly every topic can be accessed in a scholarly journal.

W HAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF J OURNALS ? Trade Journals Trade journals are also excellent sources of information for because they contain very specific information about their subject matter. Trade journals, like scholarly journals, can provide the latest research and practices used in a particular field. Trade journals also serve to inform readers about products, vendors, and experiences from people on the field. 1. Some trade journals are accessible through campus databases, but some require subscriptions. Many are available online but may also require a subscription. 2. Trade journals are not usually peer-reviewed; however, because the articles are usually written by professionals or experts in that trade or profession, the information is generally reliable. 3. Trade journals are usually published monthly, but some are published weekly or quarterly.

S O I FOUND A PERIODICAL TO USE, NOW WHAT ? There are some terms that you need to know when working with periodicals. CoverTable of Contents HeadlineTitle AuthorEditor CaptionFigure IndexGlossary BibliographyReporter Journalist

W ORKS C ITED Images Fort Worth Star Telegram - Old media. (n.d.). Retrieved from People – People magazine. (2012). Retrieved from School Library Journal – School library journal (n.d.). Retrieved from Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association – Journal of American veterinary medical association. (n.d.). Retrieved from Houston Chronicle – Retrieved from USA Today - Retrieved from The Keller Citizen - Retrieved from The Dallas Observer – Retrieved from People – Retrieved from Time – Retrieved from Store03.prostores.com US News & World Report – Retrieved from norshorenews.com Southern Living – Retrieved from Scholarly Journals – Retrieved from Trade Journals – Retrieved from School Library Journal – School library journal (2009). Retrieved from Text