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Public Administration Resources: Find a journal

This guide is for students in the Master of Public Administration program at Augusta University. It gives an overview of library and other resources useful for public administration.

Find Journals

To find journals and other periodicals in our collection, start at GIL-Find and click the Find E-Journals tab.

Then type the name of the journal or a keyword or phrase. You can also browse by letter.

Click on the journal title to access the record. You'll then see a list of databases where you can access this resource. Notice that for each one it gives the coverage dates for the journal, which means it has to issues for those years only.

Academic Journals vs. Trade Publications vs. Magazines

When researching for articles, it is important to distinguish between three main types-  academic journal articles, trade publications / magazines, and magazines. Academic journal articles are typically referred to as "scholarly," while magazine articles are usually considered "popular" (NCSU).

"Trade" magazines or publications, are written for professionals in a particular field but are not strictly research related. Below are additional criteria to consider when differentiating between these main types (NCSU):

 

Criteria Academic Journal Trade Publication (Professional Journal) Magazine
Example Journal of Abnormal Psychology Nursing Times trade publication Psychology Today magazine

Content

(Accuracy)
  • Purpose is scholarly communication, i.e. to share the author/s research, case-study, scholarly review, etc. with peers in the field.
  • In-depth, primary account of original findings or analysis, written by the researcher(s).
  • Very specific information.
  • Purpose is to share practical information for professionals working in a specific field or industry.
  • Secondary discussion of someone else's research.
  • Current news, trends and products in a specific industry.
  • Purpose is to entertain or inform a mass audience.
  • Secondary discussion of someone else's research.
  • May include personal narrative or opinion.
  • General information.

Author

(Authority)
  • Typically the author is a scholar or specialist with subject expertise.
  • Credentials and affiliation are provided.
  • Author is frequently a journalist paid to write articles
  • May or may not have subject expertise.
  • Author is usually a professional in the field; occasionally it is a journalist with subject expertise.

Audience
  • Primarily, scholars, researchers, and students.
  • Professionals in certain fields may also find academic articles to be of interest.
  • General public; the interested non-specialist.
  • Professionals in the field; the interested non-specialist.

Language

(Authority)
  • Specialized terminology or jargon of the field; requires expertise in subject area.
  • Specialized terminology or jargon of the field, but not as technical as a scholarly journal.
  • Everyday vocabulary; easily understandable to most readers.
Graphics
  • Graphs, charts, and tables
  • Very few advertisements and photographs.
  • Typically photographs, and some graphics and charts
  • Advertisements targeted to professionals in the field.
  • Graphs, charts, and tables
  • Lots of glossy advertisements and photographs.
Layout & Organization
  • Structured
  • Typically includes the article abstract, goals and objectives, methodology, results (evidence), discussion, conclusion, and a list of references. 
  • Informal; may include non-standard formatting. 
  • May not present supporting evidence or a conclusion.
  • Informal; articles organized like a journal or a newsletter.
  • Evidence drawn from personal experience or common knowledge.
  • Evidence occasionally drawn from an expert or a study that favors the agenda of the article.
Accountability (Authority)
  • Articles are evaluated by peer-reviewers* or referees who are experts in the field
  • Edited for content, format, and style.
  • Articles are evaluated by editorial staff who may be experts in the field.
  • Not peer-reviewed*
  • Edited for format and style.
  • Articles are evaluated by editorial staff with journalism or writing qualifications; may be knowledgeable in the field but are typically not experts.
  • Edited for format and style.

References

(Authority)
  • Required.
  • Quotes and facts are verifiable.
  • Occasional a brief reference list, not required.
  • Rare. Little, if any, information about source materials is given.
  • If provided, often informally cited, often making it a challenge to track down. Eg. "According to a Harvard study last year..."
Paging
  • Page numbers are consecutive throughout the volume.
  • Each issue begins with page 1.
  • Each issue begins with page 1.
Other Examples
  • Scholarly Journal
  • Annals of Mathematics
  • Journal of Abnormal Psychology
  • History of Education Quarterly

Almost anything with Journal in the title, but not all (see last example of magazines in far right column)
  • Each issue begins with page 1.
  • Sports Illustrated
  • National Geographic
  • Time
  • Newsweek
  • Cooking Light
  • Discover
  • Ladies Home Journal

 

Adapted from Scholarly vs. Popular Materials by Amy VanScoy, NCSU Library
http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/guides/spmaterials/