Characteristics of Books

Reviewed and edited through the publishing process.

Author, organization, or editor can be identified.

Can be aimed at a general, technical, or academic readership.

Makeup of Books

Title Page and Copyright Page

Acknowledgements

Forward/Preface

Introduction, Table of Contents, Index

Bibliography, Footnotes, Endnotes

Books in Rivershare Catalog

Books in Rivershare Catalog

Strengths of Books

Accuracyfact checked, resources cited

Authoritybackground on author provided

Organizationtable of contents, index

Scopelength allows to examine topic in depth

Weaknesses of Books

Currencylength of time for publication process

Availabilityitems already in use

Google Books, e-books

Periodicals Defined

Broadly, periodicals are any publication that is released periodically.

Subject to the editorial process, in some cases to peer review.

Author(s) are usually clearly identified.

Can be aimed at a general, techinical, or academic readership.

Periodicals in Rivershare Catalog

Periodicals in Rivershare Catalog

Strengths of Periodicals

Currencyquicker publication process

Accuracyeditorial process, peer review

Authorityprimarily in scholarly publications

Ease of usegood summary, easy access to information

Peer Review

Also known as refereed

The editorial process in which submissions are reviewed by an editorial board or an outside panel of experts in the field. The article and its author(s) are evaluated for accuracy in its research methodologies and findings.

Weaknesses of Periodicals

Availabilitynewspapers, academic publications

Scopesize limits breadth of topic covered

Is it Popular, Scholarly or Trade?

Determining a publication’s purpose and audience will help you to decide if it is an appropriate resource for your research.

Popular Periodicals

Purpose: to inform or entertain

Audience: general; no special knowledge of topic necessary

Scholarly Periodicals

Purpose: to present original research or experimentation

Audience: scholars, specialists in field

Trade Periodicals

Purpose: to examine issues, concerns of an industry

Audience: industry employees

ACTIVITY

Each table will be provided with popular, scholarly, and trade publications. Determine which publication is Popular, Scholarly, or Trade, and list some characteristics of each.

For each publication, look at:

abstracts advertising appearance

article length audience authors

bibliography/citations frequency of publication

peer review name of publication

LOOK ATNEWSPAPER, POPULAR

PERIODICALS SCHOLARLY PERIODICALS TRADE PERIODICALS

abstracts none

usually at the beginning, summarizing the article's thesis and findings none

advertising several advertisements

frequently none. ones that do contain ads related to subject area

ads specific to the trade or industry

appearance

colorful cover and interior. most include photos, illustrations, sidebars, charts

most are stark. illustrations and charts related to research.

colorful cover and interior. most include photos, illustrations, sidebars, charts

article length short to moderate in length usually long short to moderate in length

audiencegeneral readership, no expertise

expected

other scholars and researchers in the field with an assumed understanding of the basic tenets of the specialty

those who work in the specified industry

author(s)often one - may list contributors. staff

or freelance writers.

often more than one author, scholars in the field, with credentials provided

often one - may list contributors. staff or freelance writers, or specialists in the industry.

bibliography, citations sources only referenced, not citedfootnotes, bibliographies,

reference listssources only referenced, not

cited

frequency of publicationfrequent. usually daily, weekly,

biweekly, or monthlyless frequent. usually monthly

or quarterlyfrequent. usually weekly,

biweekly, or monthly

peer review none frequently none

periodical titleplain language, often include word

magazine in title

often include words journal, review, research, bulletin in title

contain industry terms, sometimes use news within title

purpose to inform and entertain

provide original research, experimentation, examine issues of field in depth

examines issues, concerns of the trade