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Information Sources: Periodicals

This guide will assist you in choosing the best sources for your information needs.

Types of Periodicals

Magazines

Definition 

Issued periodically; usually containing essays, stories, poems, photographs and drawings. They frequently specialize in a particular subject, i.e. hobbies, news, or sports.

Where to Find 

Print magazines are found in public and academic libraries. Many magazines are also available in digital format on the Web. Article databases, such as those found on the A - Z Databases page contain thousands of full-text magazine articles.

Journals

Definition

Written by scholars, and experts in a subject area. Author(s) cover advanced, complex content in the common language of their field of study. They are typically peer or editorially reviewed.

Where to Find 

Print journals are usually found in academic libraries. The library's article databases provide access to thousands of online journals. Open access journals, such as those found on the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) website make their content freely available to everyone. 

Professional/Trade Publications

Definition

Written by and for experts who are employed in a trade or profession. They are not peer or editorially reviewed, and are more like magazines in that they have editors. They contain business or industry trends, techniques and information about products.

Where to Find

Print publications can be purchased at newsstands, book stores, grocery stores, etc. Public and academic libraries purchase both print and online versions.

Newspapers

Definition 

A publication, issued at regular and usually close intervals, especially daily or weekly, and commonly containing news, comment, features, and advertising.

Where to Find 

Print newspapers are delivered to homes and libraries. Some newspapers provide limited online access. Library article databases such as Canadian Newsstream and Canadian Business and Current Affairs contain newspaper articles.

How Do I Know if Articles Are Scholarly or Peer-Reviewed?

Concordia University Library. (2019, May 21). How do I know if articles are scholarly or peer-reviewed? [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/NglzUuQSGPQ