INFORMATION TIMELINE:
EVENT OCCURS
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WITHIN MINUTES: |
Social Media “Breaks” the story. Information may be incomplete, false or biased. Examples: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, blogs
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WITHIN DAYS: |
News Sites, TV, Radio and Daily Newspapers As time passes, information gets added, updated and verified. Opinions emerge. Examples: CNN.com, Fox News, BBC Radio, New York Times |
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WITHIN A WEEK |
Weekly Magazines Offers more insight. Likely to include information about context, interviews, related topics. Examples: Newsweek, Time, People, The New Yorker
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WITHIN A MONTH |
Monthly Magazines Additional time allows for better reporting, May include opinions. Examples: Wired, Scientific American, National Geographic
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3+ MONTHS LATER |
Scholarly Journals Written by experts. Well-researched and objective. Examples: Journal of American Culture, JAMA, Nature
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12 + MONTHS LATER |
Books Benefit most from hindsight. Give most in-depth coverage of topic. Examples: Nonfiction titles, biography, textbooks, reference materials |
Adapted from: "Information Timeline Graphic." www.flickr.com, flickr, 7 May 2014, www.flickr.com/photos/adstarkel/14129037811/.
Accessed 11 Oct. 2018. Infographic.
Cape Cod Community College
Wilkens Library
Scholarly Journals v. Popular Periodicals
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Criteria |
Popular Periodicals |
Scholarly/Academic |
|
Author |
Journalist, reporter, or staff or freelance writer. May or may not have a byline. |
Scholar or other professional in the same field of specialization as the journal. Position or other credentials noted. |
|
Sponsorship |
Advertising copy is primary support. Newsstand and subscription sales. |
Publication supported by subscriptions or in many cases, membership in the professional group. |
|
Audience |
Content written for understanding by the general public or average person. |
Content directed toward a specific group with knowledge of the subject. |
|
References |
References rarely cited. May include sources for additional information or list of web links. |
Usually includes a thorough review of related literature and list of cited references. |
|
Level of language |
Written more for general knowledge or entertainment. Easily understood language. |
Serious, academic tone. May have specialized vocabulary. Narrow in focus. |
|
Purposes |
Current event or interest. May refer to recent research studies. Intended for the layperson. |
Contributes to body of knowledge on a specific subject. Shares research findings with colleagues and peers. |
|
Inclusion policies |
Articles are assigned to staff or accepted from freelance writers. |
Articles are submitted for publication and reviewed by peers before accepted. Articles are selected for publication based on established criteria. |