Module 1: Defining the Information Need

Periodicals: Trade / Professional Journals

Trade or professional journals are written for an audience of professionals in the field (nurses, teachers, broadcasters, etc.). They sometimes look a lot like scholarly articles journals. Use trade / professional journals when you:

• Want to find information or research related to a career
• Need business information
• Are exploring current issues related to a specific profession

Characteristics:

• Articles do not contain original research, but focus on applying research to real life situations (e.g. the latest research on student learning styles for educators)
• The assumed audience is made up of professionals who have expertise in the subject
• Special vocabulary is often used
• Many articles focus on practical application of knowledge
• At least partially funded through ads

How can I find trade or professional journal articles?

• Use a general database like Academic Search Complete. It may be harder to narrow your search to trade journals because most databases do not let you specify this type of periodical
• Use a subject specific database, like CINAHL (Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature) or Criminal Justice Periodicals Index that covers professional literature