Finding Resources by Format

These sources offer current, real-world perspectives that can enrich your research with timely information, public opinion, and industry insights. They differ from journal articles in a variety of ways:

• Scholars and researchers write academic journal articles. They are sometimes peer-reviewed, include citations and are intended for academic study and research. These articles present original research, analysis or theory.
• Magazines are written for a general audience. They feature shorter articles, often with images, and cover current events, trends or popular topics. They are not peer-reviewed.
• News and newspapers provide daily or weekly coverage of news, events and opinions. Articles are written by journalists and focus on timely reporting rather than in-depth analysis.

Why magazines and news for research?

News provides daily coverage of events, politics, and social issues. They’re useful for tracking developments over time and understanding how topics are presented to the public.
Magazines often include feature articles, interviews, and commentary on culture, lifestyle, and current affairs. They’re great for exploring public discourse and trends.
Trade magazines are geared toward professionals in specific industries (like education, law, or hospitality). They offer practical insights, news, and developments from within the field, making them valuable for understanding how theories apply in real-world settings.
While they’re not scholarly, they can add depth and context to your academic work when used alongside peer-reviewed research.

Pro tip: Know the name of the journal you want to search in? Use the Publication Finder.

Magazines, news, and trade publications are all found in Discovery the same way: using the Source Type filter.

1. Use the search bar on the library website or navigate to the advanced search page.
2. Enter your keywords, author(s), or title into the search and run the search.
3. Click the All filters button. Use the Source Type filter to limit results to the format you would like (news, magazines, trade publications).
4. Select a title of interest and review the item details by opening the title link. 
5. Access the full text article using the access links in the item details page.