JOURNAL, MAGAZINE AND NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

To gauge the usefulness of an article, first look at the title, evaluate it by reading the article’s summary and asking yourself:

a. Who is the author? 

The author’s credentials (name, institutional affiliation) are sometimes given at bottom of the article.  Has your instructor mentioned this author?  Have you seen the author’s name cited in other sources or bibliographies?  Respected authors are cited frequently by other scholars.  Always note those names that appear in different sources.

b. What is the reputation of the publisher?

Some periodicals are published by professional associations or societies like the American Psychological Association, while others may concentrate on issues of concern to a particular group of people, like Gender Studies.

c. What is the length of the article (articles shorter than 2 pages may not be suitable for some assignments)?

      e. Is there a bibliography and/or works cited page?

This can be determined by examining the content of the article.  Or the publication may state the intended audience in the notes or contents page.  Scholarly journals usually undergo a rigorous peer review process.  Acceptance for publication requires first a reading by other experts in the subject field.  This process is usually described I the Guidelines for Manuscript Contributions at the front or end of the journal.  Such a review ensures reliability, authority, and general acceptance within the field of study.