are judged by peer reviewers. When papers meet established criteria, they are
accepted for publication. This process is designed to ensure high quality of
published works and enables readers who are not experts about the topic to
have confidence in what is being presented.
Scholarly, Trade, and Popular Literature
Categories
Distinguishing between different types of information categories can help
determine the type of information contained within them. There are generally
three broad categories: scholarly, trade, and popular literature. Scholarly works
are written and edited by professionals in the discipline for other colleagues.
They are the vehicles for publication of original research, focus on narrow topics
within the discipline, and are often filled with discipline-specific vocabulary.
For example, the Journal of Nursing Scholarship, published by Sigma Theta Tau
International, is a scholarly journal. Trade publications are also written for
professionals within a discipline but are written with a more casual tone. They
contain information related to professional development, products, practices,
or trends in the discipline. American Journal of Nursing and RN Magazine are
examples of trade publications. Popular literature is written to inform or enter-
tain the general public. The writing level is very basic, and graphics often get
as much space as the text. For example, Prevention is a source of information
about health that is written for the general public.
Periodicals, Journals, and Magazines
Few terms used in libraries cause more confusion than these three: periodicals,
journals, and magazines. Although some people use these terms as synonyms,
it is best to understand the differences between these terms and to use them
correctly. Periodical is the broadest term of the three and indicates a resource
that is published periodically, usually on a set schedule. In many libraries,
periodical is the term used to designate these types of publications as a collec-
tion. Both journals and magazines are designated as periodicals. Journal is the
term used to indicate resources of a scholarly or professional nature. Magazine
indicates a resource targeted for the general reading audience, most often in the
popular works category. When you have difficulty distinguishing among these
three types of resources, a quick consultation with a librarian or a search of a
library website for information about this topic can be helpful.
Understanding Types of Reviews
Before the electronic information age, researchers developed ways to keep up-
to-date by creating early forms of reviews to summarize information. Because
of the increased volume of information being made available as a result of
KEY TERMS
scholarly literature:
Works written
and edited by
professionals in the
discipline for other
colleagues
trade literature:
Works written for
professionals in a
discipline using
a more casual
tone than used in
scholarly literature
popular literature:
Works written to
inform or entertain
the general public
periodical: A
resource that is
published on a set
schedule
journal: A scholarly
or professional
resource
magazine: A
resource targeted to
the general reading
audience4.2 Types of Evidence 99