Source Types

Source Types

Popular vs Academic

All magazines, journals, and newspapers are known as Periodicals in the library. Journals are classified as academic and magazines are classified as popular. The following will explain the difference between academic journal and popular magazines:

Academic

Journals can be identified by the following: • Written by an expert or a specialist in that specific field. • Is an academic publication. • It will generally provide footnotes and a bibliography. • It reports on original research or reviews that state of a field. • Usually have graphs, diagrams, and tables, but few photographs. • Targeted at subject specialist. Examples of journals are: Name of journals: • International Journal of Information Management. It is important to base academic research on academic resources.

Popular

A magazine can be identified by the following: • It rarely provides footnotes or a bibliography. • Articles are written mostly by reporters or freelance writers • It is usually published by a commercial enterprise. • Normally have lots of photographs, by few graphs and tables. • Targeted at a wide, divergent readership. Examples of magazines are: • Getaway • Times

Primary vs Secondary Sources

Primary Source

A primary source gives you original research that is presented for the first time. In the other words, new finding and theories. See the following examples: • An article in a newspaper written by a journalist or freelance writer who was present at that specific event and is now writing about and describing what has happened. • Journals that published latest or new finds.

Secondary Source

A secondary source does not present new information or research, but provides information or evaluations of previously presented research. See the following example: • Encyclopedias • Review articles.