Always remember databases can't think. Whether you're searching Google or a library database, it doesn't know that when you type "girls" you might mean teenage girls, or Hispanic girls, the TV show "Girls," or that you actually want information about all females, regardless of age.
Always look at your search results and ask yourself:
Occasionally a book or article will not be available in the library's databases or at one of the other HELM libraries. In these instances, the library will try to request the item from another library through interlibrary loan.
If there is a book or article that you need, and it is not available through HELM or the library's databases, you may fill out the ILL form to request it. You can also call us at either 978-556-3400 or 978-738-7400 to make a request.
Academic Journals |
Magazines |
Trade Journals |
|
| Purpose | To publish research and scholarship | To inform and entertain | To inform and support |
| Audience | Researchers, scientists, scholars, professors, graduate and undergraduate students | General readers | Members of a profession |
| Authors | Scholars & researchers with credentials, and institutional affiliations listed. | Journalists & writers. Often unattributed. | Journalists, practitioners in the field. |
| Editors | Board of scholars working in the specific discipline or field covered by the journal | Employees of the magazine | Employees of the publication |
| Review process | Peer-review: Articles are reviewed by scholars in the field with extensive knowledge of the subject matter. | Editor, and perhaps a fact-checker; employees of the magazine | Reviewed by publication employees |
| Frequency | Monthly, quarterly, bi-annually | Weekly or monthly | Weekly or monthly |
| Appearance | Plain, often B&W. Lots of text, often with charts & graphs. Very few advertisements. | Glossy, with lots of pictures and advertisements. | Glossy or newspaper-like. Pictures and advertising. |
| Language | Specialized language of the academic discipline. | Everyday language | Technical jargon of the field |
| Length of articles | Usually long | Usually short or very brief | Varies |
| Format of articles | Structured: abstract, introduction, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion | No formal structure | Usually no formal structure |
| Documentation | Often extensive bibliography of works cited, or footnotes/references. | Informal mention of sources in the text | Sometimes includes bibliographies/references |
Try these subject terms:
COMPUTER-assisted instruction
COMPUTERS in education
DIGITAL learning
Early Childhood Education
EDUCATIONAL technology
INFORMATION technology
DIGITIZATIONMIDDLE school students
HIGH school students
STUDENT engagement
TEACHING methods
VIDEO games
To cite this LibGuide use the following templates:
APA: Northern Essex Community College Library. (Date updated). Title of page. Title of LibGuide. URL
MLA: Northern Essex Community College Library. "Title of Page." Title of LibGuide, Date updated, URL.