Scholarly vs. PopularDatabases
Jason DupreeAssistant Professor MLIS, University of OklahomaBFA, Studio Art, Phillips University
Head of Public ServicesAl Harris Library [email protected]
Books vs. Periodicals
• Arranged by call number
• Location: 2nd floor
• Arranged by the title alphabetically
• Location: 1st floor
Periodicals
• MAGAZINES– Popular Info– Audience:
• General Public• Casual Reader
– Purpose:• Hobby• Pleasure• Curiosity
• JOURNALS– Scholarly Info– Audience:
• Researcher• Professional Who
Needs to Stay Up-to-Date
– Purpose:• Goal-Driven
– Research Paper– Certification,
Tenure– Job Requirement
Difference Between Scholarly and Popular Periodicals
POPULAR MAGAZINES
• USUALLY SOMEWHAT SLICK AND ATTRACTIVE IN APPEARANCE
• RARELY CITE SOURCES. INFO. IS USUALLY SECONDARY, REPORTED FROM SOURCE
• ARTICLES SHORT, WRITTEN IN SIMPLE LANGUAGE AND FOR A MINIMAL EDUCATION LEVEL
• USUALLY LOT OF ADVERTISING AND PICTURES
• PAGINATION RESTARTS IN EVERY ISSUE
SCHOLARLY JOURNALS
• HAVE A SOBER, SERIOUS LOOK
• ALWAYS CITE THEIR SOURCES IN FOOTNOTES/BIBLIOGRAPHIES
• ARTICLES WRITTEN BY A SCHOLAR OR RESEARCHER “HORSE’S MOUTH”
• PEER-REVIEWED BY SCHOLARS
• LANGUAGE OF JOURNAL ASSUMES SOME SCHOLARLY BACKGROUND ON THE PART OF READER
• ADVERTISING IS SPECIALIZED TO THAT DISCIPLINE
• PAGINATION IS CUMULATIVE
Full-text Articles
Full-text articles indicate the entire article can be found within the database, no physical searching is necessary. Full-text articles are accessible in the following ways:
• HTML (displays like a web page)• PDF (displays like a photocopy; best for citing
info)• Linked (hyperlinks to full-text in another
location)
Can’t find the article?
If a full-text option is not presented, then you need to open a second window…
…go to the library’s Periodicals List……copy the journal title from your article
citation and paste it into the search box on the Periodicals List…then click search…
…if the journal title appears, it should present you with some options other than the database you currently search…
…if it doesn’t, then you’ll need to use ILL.
Periodicals List
A directory used to identify the location of journals, magazines and newspapers accessible through the library regardless of format
Formats:– Electronic (article database)– Paper (soft or hard bound)– Microfilm (reel)– Microfiche (card)
Citing Databases
Will, George F. “The GOP--Grand Old Pulpit.” Newsweek Jan 14, 2008: 64. Academic Search Premier. EBSCOHost. Southwestern Oklahoma State U Lib., Weatherford, OK. 31 Jan. 2008, <http://search.epnet.com>
Citing DatabasesWill, George F. “The GOP--Grand Old Pulpit.” Newsweek Jan 14, 2008: 64. Academic Search
Premier. EBSCOHost. Southwestern Oklahoma State U Lib., Weatherford, OK. 31 Jan. 2008, <http://search.epnet.com>
Will, George F. = author’s name“The GOP--Grand Old Pulpit.” = title of articleNewsweek = title of publication (magazine or journal)Jan 14, 2008 = publication date / copyright date64 = page number(s)Academic Search Premier = name of database (product name)EBSCOHost = name of vendor / company (brand name)Southwestern Oklahoma State U Lib., Weatherford, OK. = location where you
accessed the
information31 Jan. 2008 = date when you accessed the information<http://search.epnet.com> = standard web address (URL) for the database
product