Linguistics: Find Articles

Use the following databases to find articles that deal with linguistics. Each database indexes various different journals in the discipline.

Why are journal articles so important?

Journal articles, particularly those found in scholarly journals, are a very important source of scholarly research because they:

• Synthesize the latest research and theories of scholars, researchers, experts and thinkers
• Contain reviews of the latest developments, trends, and techniques in your field of study
• Contain information that is more current then what could be found in books and encyclopedias
• Often contain extensive bibliographic reference lists that can be used to direct you to other important resources for your research
• Sometimes contain topical information that cannot be found anywhere else

What are journals?

Journals or "periodicals" are magazines that are published on a periodical (i.e. monthly, weekly, bi-weekly, etc.) basis.

There are 3 different types of journals:

1. Scholarly or "Peer-reviewed" Journals:

• Published by research centers, academic presses, or professional associations
• Written by researchers or experts in the field (i.e. faculty, researchers, experts, etc.)
• Contain the academic credentials and/or institutional affiliations of the author(s)
• Are reviewed and critically evaluated ("peer reviewed") by a board of experts in the field
• Tend to be longer - more than 5 pages - in length
• Contain bibliographies, endnotes, and footnotes
• Are written using the scholarly or technical language of the discipline of study

Examples of scholarly journals:

2. Trade Magazines

• Published by professional or "trade" organizations
• Written by staff writers or specialists in the industry
• Often, but not always, list the credentials and/or institutional affiliations of the author(s)
• Are usually reviewed by an editor
• Tend to be moderate - around 5 pages - in length
• May, though not often, contain a short bibliography
• Are written using the language of the industry

Examples of trade magazines:

3. Popular Magazines

• Published by commercial presses
• Written by journalists, staff or freelance writers
• Rarely, if ever, contain the credentials and institutional affiliations of the author(s)
• Are usually reviewed by an editor and are not "peer reviewed"
• Tend to be shorter - less than 5 pages - in length
• Rarely, if ever, contain a list of cited resources
• Are written using the language for a general audience

Examples of popular magazines:

OK. So now you know what a journal article is. The next question is "How do I find all these journal articles at the Tyndale Libraries?". Visit the next the "How to find a journal article" page to find out how.