Finding academic journals
Journals may also be called serials or periodicals. Journals are published regularly and are an invaluable source of current information.
There are three basic types of journals:
* academic / refereed journals are the most relevant for research purposes
* trade journals provide industry or single topic information
* popular journals are useful for study in areas of current affairs and popular culture
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Academic journals
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Trade journals
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Popular journals
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| Refereed |
Generally not refereed but may contain individual refereed articles |
Not refereed |
| Specialised audience |
Industry or topic based |
Wide audience |
| Reports on original research |
Includes case studies and industry news |
Broad content focusing on current events and news |
| Often includes review articles |
Short articles |
Short articles |
| Uses technical language |
Uses jargon from the industry / profession |
Non technical, often simple language |
| Includes author's affiliation |
Authors details may be included |
May not include an author |
| Includes abstracts |
May include a short abstract |
No abstracts |
| Includes many references |
Usually only 3-4 references |
No references |
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Advertising usually restricted to an industry / profession |
Includes extensive advertising |
Academic journals
Academic journals are the most relevant for research purposes. Articles in academic journals are usually refereed, also called peer-review. This refers to the process of evaluation of articles by an editorial board of professional colleagues or peers. The peer-review process aims to maintain and raise the quality of published material. Refereed journals are assumed to contain higher quality content than those that aren't.
Ensuring a journal is refereed
Some databases allow you to limit your search results to academic / refereed journals, for example Proquest5000 and Expanded Academic Index. However it is still important you search the ULRICH'S Periodical Directory database to verify the journal is refereed.
If the journal is not listed in ULRICH'S you will need to check the journal's editorial policy available from their website.
Ulrich's Periodical Directory
Access: Ulrich's Periodical Directory
* Select Title (exact) or Title (keyword)
* Type in the title of the journal. Click on go
* A black and white icon appears next to journals that are refereed
* Click on the journal title to retrieve a full description
* If a journal is refereed Yes will be listed in the Refereed field. If the Refereed field is missing the journal is NOT refereed
* Note that journals can be identified as Academic / Scholarly but NOT be refereed
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