Objectives
   Finding Articles

Finding Articles

   Article Types

   Popular Magazines

   Scholarly Journals

   Searching for Articles

   Off-Campus Access

Scholarly and Professional Journals

Scholarly and Professional journals differ from popular magazines in a number of ways.  In general, scholarly or professional sources:

• Present primary accounts of original research or in-depth analysis of a topic.
• Are written by researchers, scholars, or practitioners who are considered experts in their field.
• Are intended for an audience of other researchers, scholars, or practitioners.
• Use specialized language and terminology related to the discipline or profession.
• Usually include a bibliography of supporting or related research.
• Often undergo a peer-review process through an editorial board. Such sources may be called "refereed" or "academic."
• May include research or profession-related graphics, such as charts, graphs, or tables.

In additional to scholarly journals, there are publications which are aimed at a specific professional audience. The Journal of Practical Nursing, Firehouse, Dental Abstracts, Prison Journal, and Sign Language Studies are examples of professional journals.

 Articles in these publications are often written by practitioners or professionals who have at least some background in or experience in the field. The articles cover current issues of interest to the profession and may contain terminology familiar to the professional.  These journals often contain classified ads and job listings pertaining to the profession.

 

<<< back | next >>>