Library Guides: Distinguishing Scholarly from Non-Scholarly Periodicals: Substantive News or General Interest

Checklist of Criteria

The following is a checklist of criteria for substantive news or general interest periodicals.

These articles may be eye-catching, although some are in tabloid format. Articles are sometime heavily illustrated, often with photographs.
News and general interest periodicals sometimes cite sources, although frequently they do not.
Articles may be written by a member of the editorial staff, a scholar, or a free-lance writer, or a professional in the field.
The language of these periodicals is geared to any educated audience. There is no specialty assumed, only interest and a certain level of intelligence.
They are generally published by commercial enterprises or individuals, although some come from specific professional organizations.
The main purpose of periodicals in this category is to provide information, in a general manner, to a broad audience of concerned citizens.

New York Times Daily edition
Grasselli Library & Breen Learning Center is now providing complimentary digital access to the New York Times, including NYTimes.com, New York Times mobile apps, and New York Times in Education, to John Carroll students, faculty, and staff.
Before accessing the NYT from the link above, you must create an account using your jcu.edu email at: https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/digitalpass. Users will receive a welcome email with the confirmation link that they must click to complete the registration. Afterwards, you will be able to access the daily NYT at: https://www.nytimes.com/
You will need to re-verify your email address each year.

Used with the permission of:

Research & Learning Services
Olin Library
Cornell University Library
Ithica, NY, USA