Page 189 - DLIS007_LIBRARY AUTOMATION

Library Automation

Notes Introduction

Periodical is a term used for publications which come out “periodically,” on a predictable basis.
Generally they are purchased on a subscription basis and they include newspapers, magazines
and journals. Periodicals are materials that are published continuously on a regular basis, whether
daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or otherwise. Newspapers, magazines and journals are
periodicals. Most periodicals are in print form, and may have an Internet version with some or
all of the articles available online. An increasing number of legitimate publications are being
published as electronic journals, with no print counterpart.

10.1 Meaning of Periodical

Periodical is a publication that appears on a continuous and predictable schedule. Examples
include newspapers (daily or weekly), magazines, and journals. A periodical is an on-going
publication with a distinctive title, which comes out in issues at regular intervals e.g. daily,
weekly, fortnightly, monthly etc. Each issue of a periodical contains articles, which are written
by different authors. The information is generally more up-to-date than in a book. Included
within the definition of periodicals are journals, magazines, serials and newspapers. Journals
are refereed, which means that articles submitted for publication go before a panel of experts i.e.
peer-reviewed, before being accepted for publication. They are academic in content and reflect
current thinking and research. Magazines are not refereed, are less academic in content.

10.1.1 Periodical: Journal, Magazine, Newspapers

Periodicals (Librarians call them “serials”) come in a variety of styles and are published for a
variety of audiences. They offer news, opinion, commentary, scholarly analysis, literary criticism,
and reports of research. All periodicals are published at more or less regular intervals, from
daily newspapers to semi-annual journals. You must make active choices about the types of
periodicals needed for a given research project. Magazines and newspapers may be appropriate
for some purposes, journals of opinion for others, but usually the most important sources for
research papers are academic journals. Many of the different kinds of periodical require different
citation styles.
Journals, also called academic journals or scholarly journals, differ from other periodicals
in several respects. Journals provide a means of communication among scholars and other
experts. Scholars use these publications to report research methods and findings to their
peers. Most are published by learned societies and professional organizations, and many
do not accept advertising. Scholarly journals typically have a thorough review process in
which other experts read and comment on the research being reported in order to ensure
a high standard. This type of review is seldom used for magazines and newspapers.
Magazines are written for general readers. They are published once a month or once a
week, more frequently than scholarly journals. Magazines such as Time or Newsweek appeal
to a general audience and offer news and opinion, while others such as Car and Driver focus
on a particular interest or hobby. Because the purpose of most magazines is news or
entertainment, the articles are not researched or documented to the same degree as scholarly
journals. They are good sources of current news and opinion, as well as information on a
specialized subject.
Newspapers are also intended for general readers. Major newspapers are published daily,
creating a very good record of events as they unfold. However, the frequency of publication
often means that articles lack the research and documentation found in scholarly journals
and some magazines. Their regional emphasis can make them ideal sources of information
for events or topics of local interest, such as salmon fisheries in the Pacific Northwest.

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