A bibliographic citation describes an item found in a database (or library catalog) and can help you evaluate the source. A citation typically includes the author, the date of publication, edition or revision, title, and the publication source (journal title or book publisher). Below is a sample bibliographic citation. The format for bibliographic citations may vary slightly, depending on which database you use.
In the research databases, there are tools that help you filter your article search specifically for the source formats of scholarly journals, magazines or newspapers. Still it is helpful to know the characteristics of the periodical literature you will encounter either in print or online as you do research. Of course information from scholarly journals is the best for academic research!
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Scholarly/ |
Popular Magazines |
Trade Publications |
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Article Type |
In-depth research articles, often peer-reviewed; usually includes an abstract; may be brief news of developments in the field or recent research, academic book reviews |
Brief, nontechnical, current events, news; quick facts; short interviews, brief book reviews, ads |
Product reviews; industry statistics; new publications; patents |
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Purpose |
To provide information about, report, or present original research or experiments |
To provide general information to, entertain, or persuade the general public |
To provide news or information to practitioners in an industry or trade |
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Authors |
Clearly defined; experts with significant knowledge in the subject area, scholars, and researchers |
Not always identified; staff writers |
Not always identified; staff writers, practitioners in the trade |
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Audience |
Professors, researchers, and students, members of association; other professionals in the field |
General |
Intended for those with an interest in a specific industry or trade |
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Publisher |
Typically a university or professional association |
Typically commercial |
Typically commercial |
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Writing Style |
Formal or semiformal; scholarly language; may use technical or specialized language |
Informal; language is easy to understand |
Informal; may use technical or specialized language |
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Documentation |
Footnotes or endnotes; bibliography; suggested resources for more information |
None |
Suggested resources for more information, sometimes a brief bibliography |
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Illustrations/ |
May include tables, graphs, charts, or equations to support the research |
Often includes glossy photographs, ads, images |
May include black and white or color images, graphs, or charts |
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Examples |
Sloan Management Review, Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, Journal of Computer Information Systems, Journal of American History |
Time, Newsweek, Business Week, Psychology Today, PC World, Washington Post |
Association Management, People Management, Federal Computer Week, Food Technology, Workforce |