• What are periodicals?
• What is a journal?
• What is a magazine?
• What does trade/professional mean?
• What is a periodical index?
• Glossary

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Q. What are periodicals?
Periodicals are items that are issued continuously, such as magazines, newspapers, and journals that have daily, weekly, monthly or annual issues. They are also called serials.

For complete information about a particular periodical, refer to the following reference works available in the Library:

International Directory of Little Magazines and Small Presses
Location: LAC Reference Room Collection
Call Number: Z6944.L5 I5

Ulrich's Periodicals Directory (5 vols.)
Location: LAC Reference Desk Collection
Call Number: Z6941 .U5

Ulrich's periodicals directory (5 vols.)
Location: PCC Reference Room Collection
Call Number: Z6941 .U5

Q. What is a journal?
A scholarly or academic journal contains articles written by researchers, scholars, or experts in a particular field. The articles can be case studies, research reports, and often focus on a narrow, specific topic. They are long and in-depth and include bibliographic references. Articles are signed and the author's credentials and an abstract of the article are included. The publication is usually sponsored by an academic or professional organization and is geared to researchers, professionals, and scholars (which include undergraduate and graduate students). Charts, graphs, tables and illustrations may accompany an article, but it is rare to see colored advertisements.

Refereed, peer-reviewed, or juried: Manuscripts are evaluated by a panel of subject specialists or experts before they are accepted for publication. Some are sent back for revision; many are rejected. These journals are considered the most scholarly and most prestigious. Examples are Journal of American History, Geology, Walt Whitman Quarterly Review, Political Science Quarterly, Journal of Popular Culture.

Q. What is a magazine?
Articles are written by a member of the magazine staff, a journalist, or a freelance writer, are shorter than those in a journal and can be understood without a great deal of background knowledge. Attractive appearance with photographs, slick colored ads. Can be general magazines that include news, current events, commentary such as Time, Newsweek, Atlantic Monthly, and Harper's, or specialized like Smithsonian, Psychology Today, Vogue, or Rolling Stone. Some magazines, such as Scientific American or Forbes, are considered more substantial than others, such as People Weekly or Sports Illustrated, which are called popular.

Q. What does trade/professional mean?
It supports and informs those in a specific occupation, industry, or profession. Can be anything from a newsletter to a refereed journal. Examples are Textile World, Booklist, Advertising Age, Journal of Accountancy.

Q. What is a periodical index?
It provides access to articles in magazines and journals by subject, author, title of article, title of periodical, and keyword (which examines many fields simultaneously). Electronic indexes often include an abstract of the article and increasingly are linked to a full text version. Sometimes the "full-text" omits important tables, charts, illustrations, or sidebars.

Glossary

abstract

a brief summary of the content and principal ideas of an article. In a scholarly article, it is usually written by the author.

academic

intended audience is scholars, researchers, or students in higher education.*

e-zine, e-journal

the online equivalent of magazine and journal.

journal

long, research-oriented, signed articles with bibliographies. Usually black text on white pages without glossy pictures or ads. Word "journal" is not necessarily a clue.

magazine

articles are shorter than those in a journal and can be understood without a great deal of background knowledge. Attractive appearance with photographs, colored ads.

peer-reviewed

examined, evaluated and approved by experts in the field.*

periodical

newspaper, magazine, journal or other serial publication that appears at a regular stated interval.

periodical index

provides access to articles in magazines and journals by subject, author, title of article, title of periodical, and keyword. Electronic indexes often include an abstract of the article and increasingly are linked to a full text version. Sometimes the "full-text" omits important tables, charts, illustrations, or sidebars.

professional

informs and supports practitioners in a specific professional or occupation.* refereed

refereed

reviewed, evaluated and approved by experts in the field.*

scholarly

concerned with academic learning and research.

serial

any publication produced on a continuing basis.

series

a set of successive volumes or issues published in like form with similarity of subject or purpose.

trade

informs and supports those in a specific branch of industry or commerce.*

* These words are often used interchangeably to refer to journal with an intended audience which is more advanced on the topic:

academic / scholarly / refereed / peer-reviewed / juried / trade / professional.

Thanks to Sally Goodwin
Milne Library, State University New York College at Oneonta