When searching is the databases use keywords, rather than full sentences. If you want articles on ethical practices, add the keyword ethics to your search.
For phrases or names, use "quotation marks" to look for words in proximity.
e.g. "conflict of interest"
You can limit search results by publication date or type of material, such as newspapers.
Use Google results carefully, being sure to verify information in several sites. Look at website evaluation tips on the Evaluation tab of this guide.
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Popular Magazines |
Trade Journals |
Scholarly Journals |
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Audience |
All readers |
Professionals working in a specific field. Example: Nurses |
Scholars and Students |
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Appearance |
Glossy paper, many ads and pictures |
Glossy paper, short articles, many ads and pictures |
Research articles with charts and graphics, few pictures |
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Author |
Freelance writers or journalists hired by magazine |
Members of the profession |
Professors, scholars or teachers in the field |
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Purpose |
Entertain and inform |
Keep professionals up to date with trends in the field |
Publish new research in the field |
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References |
Very few citations |
Very few citations |
References are listed at the end of each article |
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Authority |
Articles reviewed by magazine’s editors |
Articles reviewed by magazine’s editors |
Articles undergo peer-review by scholars within the same field |
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Frequency |
Published weekly or monthly |
Published weekly or monthly |
Published a few times a year, quarterly |
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Examples |
Time, People |
Advertising Age, Education Week |
Higher Education Research & Development |