Information Cycle

Periodical publications (usually monthly or quarterly), containing scholarship, empirical research reports, and/or learned commentary on subjects of special interest to a specific academic or professional community. Journals are a formal means of communicating ideas in academic scholarship; and publication in journals is a major criterion for promotion among university faculty. Articles are peer reviewed or refereed (screened) before they are approved for publication by peer professionals (scholars and/or practitioners) who evaluate articles by such criteria as:

Strengths:

• Written by and for scholars, researchers, and professionals -- a formal conversation among specialists
• Contain bibliographies with full citations
• Filtering ensures high credibility
• In-depth analysis of narrowly-focused subjects
• Authoritative source for research findings

Considerations:

• Dense, technical vocabularies may require reading an overview and gathering terminology beforehand
• Normally published monthly or quarterly; not a great source for the latest developments
• May only be available in libraries or through licensed Internet sources ($$)
• Target audience: Scholars, researchers, & professionals within a discipline

<<previous pg. | next pg.>>