The Research Process

An academic (also called scholarly or peer reviewed) journal is a scholarly publication which presents new research or critiques existing research. Most academic journals are peer-reviewed, which means that articles are reviewed by other scholars before being published. Scholarly journals can be published in print and/or electronic format. Examples of academic journals include Applied Petrochemical Research, International Journal of Mechanical Engineering Education, and Journal of Dental Hygiene.

A trade or professional publication is a periodical written for people who work in a specific industry or field. It uses specialized language, presents current news and trends, includes advertising related to the field, and sometimes includes job postings. Trade magazines can be published in print and/or online format. Examples of trade or professional publications include Oil & Gas Journal, Machine Design, and Inside Dental Technology

A popular magazine includes articles written by non-specialists, or people outside of a specific industry or field. It uses general, easy language, presents current news and trends, may not mention sources in the text, and has extensive advertising, colorful pictures, and an eye-catching cover. Examples of popular magazines include Scientific American, Popular Mechanics, and Reader's Digest.

Your professor may require you to consult and cite both primary and secondary sources.

Primary sources include firsthand, or original records, objects and evidence from the time period you are researching.

The secondary aspect of sources comes into play when there is interpretation, analysis, restatement of these same events or materials in order to explain them.

Primary Sources are immediate, first-hand accounts of a topic, from people who had a direct connection with it. Primary sources can include:

Texts of laws and other original documents.

Newspaper reports, by reporters who witnessed an event or who quote people who did.

Speeches, diaries, letters and interviews - what the people involved said or wrote.

Original research.

Datasets, survey data, such as census or economic statistics.

Photographs, video, or audio that capture an event.

Secondary Sources are one step removed from primary sources, though they often quote or otherwise use primary sources. They can cover the same topic, but add a layer of interpretation and analysis. Secondary sources can include:

Most books about a topic.

Analysis or interpretation of data.

Scholarly or other articles about a topic, especially by people not directly involved.

Documentaries (though they often include photos or video portions that can be considered primary sources).

[from https://umb.libguides.com/PrimarySources/secondary]

Books and ebooks can provide:

•  focused, in-depth information on a subject
•  information that is usually reliable and well-researched
•  references to other sources you can use

E-book databases at UDST:

Newspapers are usually published daily or weekly, and contain news and feature articles, editorials or opinion columns, editorial cartoons, and advertisements. News content is usually written by journalists.