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InfoSkills for Social and Behavioral Sciences

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Traditionally published sources

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Publishing method

In the previous section, sources were categorized based on their intended audience. However, there are additional factors to consider. One important aspect is the publishing method – specifically, how and by whom sources are made available to the public. First, we’ll look at sources published through traditional or conventional channels.

Traditional publishing

Traditional publishing refers to the process where authors work with established publishers to produce and distribute books, journals, magazines, or newspapers. These 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.

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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 published 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, such as The New Yorker, while others focus on specialized fields such as business and economics, including Forbes, The Economist, and Fortune, or ecology and sustainability, such as 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 called journals or magazines, offer content aimed at professionals in specific fields or industries, such as Law Practice Magazine and 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.

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