What is a periodical?
A periodical is a publication that appears regularly at fixed intervals. Since periodicals are published more frequently than books, they are better sources for finding current information.
There are several types of periodicals: newspapers such as New York Times and Wall Street Journal, popular magazines such as Newsweek and Scienfitic American, and scholarly journals such as the Journal of Developmental Education and Academe. Listed below are some criteria you can use to distinguish a scholarly journal from a popular magazine:
SCHOLARLY JOURNALS:
Articles are usually long (5-50 pages)
Include bibliographies or works-cited
Authors are experts in the field, and articles are signed by the contributing authors
Readers are researchers and professionals
Little or no advertising in the periodicals
Example: Crime & Delinquency; Journal of Applied Psychology
POPULAR MAGAZINES:
Articles are usually short (1-5 pages)
No bibliographies
Articles are written by staff, and are sometimes unsigned
Readers are general population
A lot of advertisements
Example: Business Week; Ladies Home Journal
Note: the word “journal” in the title does not necessarily mean the periodical is a scholarly journal. If you are uncertain whether a periodical is a journal or magazine, ask a librarian or consult Ulrich’s International Periodicals Directory (REF Z6941 .U5).