2020-07-01
172
- When was the source published? On Web pages, the date of the last revision is usually at the bottom of the home page, sometimes every page.
- Is the source current or out-of-date for your topic? Topic areas of continuing and rapid development, such as the sciences, demand more current information. On the other hand, topics in the humanities often require material that was written many years ago. At the other extreme, some news sources on the Web now note the hour and minute that articles are posted on their site. Articles identified as “seminal”, seminal article or seminal book are important works that establish a new theory or model or direction of research. For example Geert Hofstede’s 1980 book, Culture's Consequences: International Differences in Work-Related Values is a seminal work. When writing a literature review on a topic you usually include any relevant seminal or classic papers. You should also read them.
C. Books: Edition or Revision
Is this a first edition of this publication or not? Further editions indicate a source has been revised and updated to reflect changes in knowledge, include omissions, and harmonize with its intended reader's needs. Also, many printings or editions may indicate that the work has become a standard source in the area and is reliable. If you are using a Web source, do the pages indicate revision dates?
D. Publisher
Note the publisher. If a university press publishes the source, it is likely to be scholarly. Although the fact that the publisher is reputable does not necessarily guarantee quality, it does show that the publisher may have high regard for the source being published.
E. Title of Journal
Is this a scholarly or a popular journal? This distinction is important because it indicates different levels of complexity in conveying ideas. If you need help in determining the type of journal, see below. Or you may wish to check your journal title in the latest edition of Katz's Magazines for Libraries (Uris Ref and Olin Ref Z 6941.K21) for a brief evaluative description.
Distinguishing scholarly journals from other periodicals
Journals and magazines are important sources for up-to-date information in all disciplines. With a periodical collection that is large and diverse it is often difficult to distinguish between the various levels of scholarship found in the collection. In this guide we have divided the criteria for periodical literature into four categories:
§ Scholarly
§ Substantive News/General Interest
§ Popular
§ Sensational
DEFINITIONS:
Webster’s Third International Dictionary defines scholarly as:
1) Concerned with academic study, especially research,
2) Exhibiting the methods and attitudes of a scholar, and
3) Having the manner and appearance of a scholar.
Substantive is defined as having a solid base, being substantial.
Popular means fit for, or reflecting the taste and intelligence of, the people at large.
Sensational is defined as arousing or intending to arouse strong curiosity, interest or reaction.
Keeping these definitions in mind, and realizing that none of the lines drawn between types of journals can ever be totally clear cut, the general criteria are as follows.
SCHOLARLY
Scholarly journals generally have a sober, serious look. They often contain many graphs and charts but few glossy pages or exciting pictures.
Scholarly journals always cite their sources in the form of footnotes or bibliographies.
Articles are written by a scholar in the field or by someone who has done research in the field.
The language of scholarly journals is that of the discipline covered. It assumes some scholarly background on the part of the reader.
The main purpose of a scholarly journal is to report on original research or experimentation in order to make such information available to the rest of the scholarly world.
Many scholarly journals, though by no means all, are published by a specific professional organisation.
EXAMPLES OF SCHOLARLY JOURNALS:
American Economic Review
Archives of Sexual Behavior
JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association
Journal of Marriage and the Family (published by the National Council on Family Relations)
Modern Fiction Studies
Sex Roles: A Journal of Research
SUBSTANTIVE NEWS OR GENERAL INTEREST
These periodicals may be quite attractive in appearance, although some are in newspaper format. Articles are often heavily illustrated, generally with photographs.
News and general interest periodicals sometimes cite sources, though more often do not.
Articles may be written by a member of the editorial staff, a scholar or a freelance writer.
The language of these publications is geared to any educated audience. There is no specialty assumed, only interest and a certain level of intelligence.
They are generally published by commercial enterprises or individuals, although some emanate from specific professional organizations.
The main purpose of periodicals in this category is to provide information, in a general manner, to a broad audience of concerned citizens.
EXAMPLES OF SUBSTANTIVE NEWS OR GENERAL INTEREST PERIODICALS:
Christian Science Monitor
Economist
National Geographic
New York Times
Scientific American
Vital Speeches of the Day
POPULAR
Popular periodicals come in many formats, although often somewhat slick and attractive in appearance. Lots of graphics (photographs, drawings, etc.).
These publications rarely, if ever, cite sources. Information published in such journals is often second or third hand and the original source is sometimes obscure.
Articles are usually very short, written in simple language and are designed to meet a minimal education level. There is generally little depth to the content of these articles.
The main purpose of popular periodicals is to entertain the reader, to sell products (their own or their advertisers), and/or to promote a viewpoint.
EXAMPLES OF POPULAR PERIODICALS:
Asia, The Journal of Culture & Commerce
Ebony
Parents
People Weekly
Readers Digest
Sports Illustrated
Time
Vogue
SENSATIONAL
