UCLA College Library: Selecting the Right Source Journals

Selecting the Right Source:

JOURNALS
Example: American Political Science Review, Journal of the American Medical Association, American Sociological Review, Journal of Psychology	Audience:	Scholars, specialists, and students
	Coverage:	Research results, frequently theoretical in nature
	Written By:	Specialists in the field; usually scholars with PhDs
	Timeliness:	Current coverage (6 months - 3 years )
	Length:	>2,500 - 10,000 words
	Content:	Detailed examination; statistical analysis; graphics; bibliography usually included
	Slant:	Supposed to present objective/neutral viewpoint; may be difficult to comprehend because of technical language or jargon; often sponsored by professional associations

Try a journal for:

Case studies of children growing up in single-parent homes.
Comparison study of economic stability in single-father versus single-mother homes.
Psychological analysis of children who experience bitter custody battles.

To locate articles, search: Expanded Academic ASAP, PsycINFO, or other computerized indexes on CDL; print indexes such as Women Studies Abstracts and Alternative Press Index; CD-ROM indexes such as SocioFile, or ask a reference librarian for suggestions.

For help with CDL databases, see Find Articles using CDL Databases.

Selecting the Right Source

Comments to: College Library Web Administrator
Updated January 6, 2003