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Explore the differences between information formats - books, journal articles, and grey literature - for effective online research. Learn the characteristics of each format to make informed choices in your scholarly pursuits.
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Information Formats And Their Characteristics Questions about this activity? Contact Kimberley Stephenson at kstephenson@apu.edu
Introduction • This brief presentation will help you understand the differences between information formats, so that you can choose the appropriate online research tools.
Introduction • There are essentially three categories of scholarly information: books, journal articles, and so-called “grey literature”—anything that appears outside “traditional” publishing channels, including dissertations/theses, reports, presentations, manuals, Web sites, etc. • In the next few slides, we’ll examine these formats in more detail.
Books • Books are a scholarly format familiar to most people. But did you know that there are different types of scholarly books? • A book on a library shelf may be one of three types: a reference book, a monograph, or an edited volume. • Reference books (encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks, directories) contain background information about a variety of topics, and are not designed to be read all the way through.
Books • Reference books are a good place to start your research, as they offer brief overviews of your topic, and will usually direct you to additional sources. • Monographs are usually written by one author on a single topic. • Edited volumes contain chapters addressing a general theme. Each chapter is written by a different author, then compiled into one volume by an editor.
Books • Although these three types of books are quite different in scope and purpose, there are some common features. • Books are often quite lengthy, which generally means that they cover issues thoroughly and provide lots of background information. This is especially true of scholarly monographs. • Second, books often take a long time to move from the writing stage to the library shelf. This long process often means that the information in books is historical in nature.
Articles • Unlike books, which are generally published once and occasionally re-published in new editions, periodicals are information formats that are published with new content on a regular basis. • The contents within these periodicals are called articles.
Articles • Although the key distinction of periodicals is that they are published on a regular basis, they do appear with varying frequency. • For example, articles could be published daily in a newspaper or Web site, weekly/monthly in a magazine, or quarterly in a scholarly journal. • Because articles are generally shorter than books, and published more frequently than books, they are generally more likely to contain current information than books.
Articles • Periodicals may be “popular” or “scholarly.” • Facts about popular sources (i.e., magazines): • Articles are intended for a broad, general audience. • Articles are usually written by people who work for the publisher and who may or may not have training in the field they discuss. • Articles are often illustrated and appear alongside advertisements. They are intended to help sell the magazine, as well as to inform the public. • The editor and publisher are the only people who judge the articles before they are printed. Articles may reflect the opinions of the editor or publisher.
Articles • Facts about scholarly sources (i.e., journals): • Articles focus on a specific subject and address a specialized audience. • Articles are written by one or more authors with knowledge of and training in the field or discipline. • Articles are presented in a specific way, often headed by abstracts and with cited references, and are usually not illustrated, although there may be charts, graphs, or tables. • Scholarly journals do not usually contain advertising, because their publication costs are covered by membership and subscription fees.
Articles • Visual/contextual clues can help you determine whether an article is popular or scholarly: • Length: Scholarly articles are usually lengthy and detailed; popular articles are often short. • Bibliography: Scholarly articles always cite sources; popular articles usually do not. • Author information: Scholarly articles list the author’s name and background; popular articles may not. • Physical appearance: Popular articles usually contain ads and photographs; scholarly articles usually don’t. • If in doubt, ask a librarian whether a particular article is considered scholarly.
Grey Literature • In general, the term “grey literature” describes scholarly content that is not published through traditional book or periodical channels. • Grey literature is often produced by government agencies and universities, and can include such diverse formats as dissertations/theses, reports, presentations, manuals, pamphlets, and Web sites. • Grey literature is often difficult to locate—but librarians can help you track down these obscure sources.
Summary • In this tutorial, we’ve covered: • Books; • Articles; and • Grey literature, including Web information. • Remember that you can contact a librarian any time for help with any of these steps. Just visit our Research Help page for more information.
