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SOC 340 • Marriage & Family Relationship : Evaluating Journals

Information & resources for Dr. Piscitello's Soc 340 course.

Overview


Evaluating Journal Types

Evaluating and identifying journal types is an important part of the research process. This page provides an overview of three journal types, criteria to help the identification process, and basic characteristics of each. Watch the video introduction, then explore the characteristics for each journal type to learn more.


What is Peer Review?

Peer review is evaluation of professional work, such as journal articles, studies, and papers, conducted by professionals working in the same field. It is a process used to assess quality and validity of work. Definitions of peer review may vary by discipline and academic journal.


"A peer-reviewed publication is also sometimes referred to as a scholarly publication. The peer-review process subjects an author's scholarly work, research, or ideas to the scrutiny of others who are experts in the same field (peers) and is considered necessary to ensure academic scientific quality." - U.S. Geological Survey (Science)


"Peer review is the system used to assess the quality of a manuscript before it is published. Independent researchers in the relevant research area assess submitted manuscripts for originality, validity and significance to help editors determine whether a manuscript should be published in their journal." - Biomed Central (Journal, Springer)


"Peer review is the independent assessment of your research paper by experts in your field. The purpose of peer review is to evaluate the paper’s quality and suitability for publication." - Taylor & Francis (Publisher)

Journal Types

Characteristics: Scholarly / Peer Reviewed Journals

Click on the journal cover to view resource in OhioLINk's Electronic Journal Center (EJC)


journal of black studies
 

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 Written by experts in the field

 Author credentials are noted, affiliation detailed

 Peer reviewed

 Writing is well researched, advanced reading level

 Abstracts and/or summaries

 Contains data, charts, and graphics

 Article often is lengthy, multiple pages

 Citations, references, and/or bibliography are presented

 No advertisements

 Published by professional organization

Closer Look: Scholarly Journals

 

scholarly journal

 

 

Lee, J. H., Portillo, M., & Meneely, J. (2020). Insights into three frames of creative minds: Igniting perspective transformation among first-year university students. Journal of Transformative Education, 18(2), 138-162.

 

Characteristics:  Practitioner Journals

Click on the journal cover to view resource in Education Research Complete


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Principal

Written by professionals in the field

Author credentials are noted, affiliation detailed

Reviewed by journal editors

Writing is professional, vocabulary specific to field

General abstract or summary provided

May contain data, charts, and/or graphics

Article is several pages long

Citations, references and/or bibliography may be presented

May contain advertisements specific to journal or field

Published by professional organization


Closer Look: Practitioner Journal


Practitioner Journal

 

 

Wiggins, A. (2020). A better way to assess discussions. Educational Leadership, 77(7), 34–38.

 

Characteristics: Popular Magazine

Click on the journal cover to view resource in Academic Search Complete.


Psychology Today

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Written by magazine staff and/or journalists

Author credentials are not presented, noted as by-line

Edited and revised by staff

Writing is less formal, highly readable

Introduction or teaser header to article in place

Contains photographs and/or illustrations

Article may be single page or portion of a page

No citations or references are in place

Numerous advertisements are presented

Published commercially


Closer Look: Popular Magazine


Popular Magazine

 

 

Eckel, S. (2020). Face value. Psychology Today, 53(3), 46–54.

Video Introduction

General Criteria

General criteria are available to help determine if periodicals and journals are scholarly, often called peer-reviewed journals, practitioner / professional journals, or popular magazines.

Consider such things as:

Authority - Who wrote the article? What qualifications or credentials do they have regarding subject?

Content - What style of writing is used? Is it objective or trying to sell you something? Is it fact or opinion?

Audience - Who is the intended reader? What reading level is the article (advanced, general)?

Citation - Is the article properly cited? Does it have a bibliography or footnotes?

Review Process - Has the article been reviewed by subject specialists?

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