Psychology and Counseling: Find Articles

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.