LibGuides: InfoSkills for Social and Behavioral Sciences: Traditionally published sources

Traditionally published sources

Publishing method

In categorizing sources, we’ve focused on the intended audience. However, there are other factors to consider as well. One of these is the publishing method – specifically, how and by whom the source is made available to the public. To begin, let’s explore sources that are published through traditional or conventional means.

Traditional publishing

Traditional publishing refers to the process where authors work with established publishing houses to produce and distribute books, journals, magazines, or newspapers. Traditionally published materials generally go through a structured process involving editing, design, and quality checks, which helps ensure they are reliable and authoritative – though some newspapers and magazines lack journalistic integrity and may not meet these standards. Let's take a closer look.

➊	Books, focusing on different audiences: Popular books Professional / Trade books Scholarly books
➋	Periodicals are publications that are issued regularly (daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly), again focusing on different audiences: Popular periodicals Newspapers, usually based in a specific city, provide coverage of local events, along with national and international news. Established newspapers (like The New York Times, The Guardian, or The Times) typically have rigorous editorial processes. They employ trained journalists, editors, and fact-checkers to ensure that stories are accurate and well-sourced. Tabloids such a The National Enquirer or The Sun, on the other hand, mainly focus on entertainment, gossip, or sensational stories, often with little regard for facts or journalistic standards. Magazines may feature news articles comparable to those in newspapers (e.g., The New Yorker), while others focus on specialized fields such as business and economics (e.g., Forbes, The Economist, Fortune) or ecology and sustainability (e.g., Environment), providing in-depth analysis and commentary in these areas. Many widely read magazines are devoted to celebrity culture, including titles like People and Entertainment Weekly. Additionally, renowned magazines such as Vogue and Cosmopolitan focus on fashion and the latest life style trends. Low-quality magazines prioritize entertainment and gossip – frequently at the expense of factual accuracy and journalistic integrity. Professional / trade periodicals These publications, often referred to as journals but sometimes called magazines, offer content tailored to professionals in a specific field or industry (e.g.,Law Practice Magazine, Advertising Age). Scholarly periodicals These are typically called journals, with only a few exceptions (such as the reputable scientific magazines Nature and Science). Psychological Bulletin, European Economic Review, Journal of the History of Ideas, and Modern Theology are examples of scholarly journals.

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Books, focusing on different audiences:

Popular books
Professional / Trade books
Scholarly books

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Periodicals are publications that are issued regularly (daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly), again focusing on different audiences:

Popular periodicals
- Newspapers, usually based in a specific city, provide coverage of local events, along with national and international news. Established newspapers (like The New York Times, The Guardian, or The Times) typically have rigorous editorial processes. They employ trained journalists, editors, and fact-checkers to ensure that stories are accurate and well-sourced.
  Tabloids such a The National Enquirer or The Sun, on the other hand, mainly focus on entertainment, gossip, or sensational stories, often with little regard for facts or journalistic standards.
- Magazines may feature news articles comparable to those in newspapers (e.g., The New Yorker), while others focus on specialized fields such as business and economics (e.g., Forbes, The Economist, Fortune) or ecology and sustainability (e.g., Environment), providing in-depth analysis and commentary in these areas.
  
  Many widely read magazines are devoted to celebrity culture, including titles like People and Entertainment Weekly. Additionally, renowned magazines such as Vogue and Cosmopolitan focus on fashion and the latest life style trends.
  
  Low-quality magazines prioritize entertainment and gossip – frequently at the expense of factual accuracy and journalistic integrity.
Professional / trade periodicals
These publications, often referred to as journals but sometimes called magazines, offer content tailored to professionals in a specific field or industry (e.g.,Law Practice Magazine, Advertising Age).
Scholarly periodicals
These are typically called journals, with only a few exceptions (such as the reputable scientific magazines Nature and Science). Psychological Bulletin, European Economic Review, Journal of the History of Ideas, and Modern Theology are examples of scholarly journals.

Availability

Traditionally published sources are widely available through a range of distribution channels, such as libraries, (online) bookstores, and online platforms. Additionally, some can be found in everyday places like supermarkets and gas stations.

Formats

Newspapers, professional and trade journals, and many magazines are available both online and in print. Most scholarly journals now have digital editions – known as e-journals. New high-quality journals are typically published online only, mainly for cost-efficiency. Likewise, printed books are increasingly being offered as e-books.