Periodicals are publications which are issued at regular intervals, such as journals, magazines, and newspapers.
It can be difficult to distinguish between the various types of periodicals when they are in electronic format. Luckily, many online databases allow researchers to search or sort results by publication type.
On the search interface of the database, look for options to limit your results by scholarly journal, peer-reviewed journals, industry publications, or similar.
To look for journals in various disciplines at the OSU-OKC Library, click https://osuokc.edu/library/periodicals.
Also known as scholarly, refereed, or peer-reviewed journals.
Scholarly, Refereed, and Peer-Reviewed journals are often seen as the same thing. However, a scholarly journal may not always be refereed or peer-reviewed. A scholarly journal can publish articles by experts in the field, but the articles are not refereed or peer-reviewed. Refereed or peer-reviewed articles will always be published in scholarly 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.
Examples:
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.
Examples:
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.
Examples:
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.
Examples:
"Types of Scholarly Articles" was produced by VCU Libraries, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
The "Types of Articles Comparison Chart" created by the Instruction and Student Engagement Department at the Milner Library, Illinois State University, is a quick comparison guide highlighting the differences between various types of articles.
"Types of Articles Comparison Chart" created by the Instruction and Student Engagement Department at the Milner Library, Illinois State University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution - NonCommercial ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
