For a complete listing of print and electronic magazines, journals and newspapers available at the Angus L. Macdonald Library, please visit our library website and search under Journal Titles.
Different types of periodicals include:
Also known as scholarly, refereed, or peer-reviewed journals.
Appearance: Generally have a sober, serious look. May contain graphs and charts, but few glossy pages or photographs. Use scholarly language with vocabulary specific to their profession or field.
Audience: Written for academics and professionals.
Author/Authority: Articles written by researchers or scholars in the field who report the results of original research.
Citations: Articles include footnotes and a list of citations at the end of the article.
Content: Includes scholarly research for a particular profession or industry. Articles usually contain an abstract, methodology, discussion, charts or tables, results, conclusions, and references.
Frequency: Usually published bimonthly or quarterly.
Appearance: Generally attractive and illustrated with color photographs.
Audience: Written for the general public.
Author/Authority: Articles written by staff or freelance writer.
Content: Includes current events and special features.
Frequency: Usually published weekly or monthly.
Sometimes it is easy to tell when an article is peer reviewed or scholarly. Other times it is not so easy or clear cut. However, if your article displays several or all of the following characteristics, it is a safe bet that it is peer reviewed:
Some of our electronic databases (e.g. PROQUEST & EBSCO) allow limiting searches to “peer reviewed articles”. However, BUYER BEWARE! Some databases contain mainly peer reviewed/scholarly articles (e.g. PSYCARTICLES, SCIENCEDIRECT, JSTOR and Web of Knowledge) but sometimes they may also contain book reviews. If you have looked for the criteria listed above and are still not sure that the article is peer reviewed, Ask a Librarian for help.
Also known as industry magazines.
Appearance: Generally attractive and are often illustrated with color photographs.
Audience: Written for industry professionals.
Author/Authority: Articles written by staff writers, though the magazine may sometimes accept articles from industry professionals.
Citations: Occasionally list references at the end of the article or provide footnotes within the text.
Content: Includes current events and special features within a particular profession or industry.
Frequency: Usually published biweekly or monthly.
Appearance: Generally printed on newsprint in black ink.
Audience: Written for the general public.
Author/Authority: Articles written by staff writers and freelance journalists.
Citations: Will sometimes cite sources, a scholar, or a freelance writer.
Content: Includes current events and special features.
Frequency: Usually published daily or weekly.