Not all periodical literature available to you in the Harvard College Library will be appropriate to the kinds of research assignments you receive; depending on the topic, in fact, some publications may have neither the complexity of argument, the degree of detail, nor the undisputed “authority” to adequately meet your research needs. In order to separate acceptable from questionable source material, you must learn to recognize the differences between scholarly and popular periodicals—between the journal and the magazine. Their main characteristics can be outlined as follows:
| General Interest / Popular Magazines | Refereed/Scholarly Journals | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Author | A professional journalist; layperson; sometimes anonymous | Recognized expert; working scholar or professor; credentials are identified | ||
| Notes/Bibliographic Apparatus | Few or no notes or bibliographic citations | Many, often detailed footnotes; bibliography included; rigorous attention to detail and verification of information | ||
| Audience, Style, and Contents | Aimed at a wide audience of “general” readers.
Language is usually straightforward and non-technical. Topics usually current events or general interest news items, distilled to their basics; prior knowledge of the topic not generally assumed. |
Written for a more narrow audience of scholars with a particular
interest in the field. Language may be technical or highly specialized. Depth of learning usually apparent; topic may be highly erudite; some prior knowledge of the topic may be assumed. |
||
| Editing | Reviewed or proofed by persons employed by the magazine. General fact-checking. |
Often “refereed” (i.e., evaluated and either accepted or rejected
by a scholarly editorial board or panel of experts). Often, an accepted article will still need to undergo several serious revisions, based on the referees’ comments, before it actually appears in print. |
||
| Advertisements | Many, scattered throughout, often in color, and aimed at the typical “consumer.” | Fewer in number, sometimes relegated to a particular place in
the journal (e.g. the beginning or end). Products advertised are more “specialized”—and often take the form of professional announcements (new books, upcoming conferences, new databases or other research apparatus for purchase). |
||
| Frequency & Availability | Usually weekly or monthly. Available for subscription, but can also be purchased at newsstands, supermarkets, or bookstores |
Varies; often quarterly or monthly, rather than weekly. Sometimes available only by subscription or through membership in an academic organization or society |
Not every scholarly journal or popular magazine will exhibit absolutely all of these identifying features; certain periodicals may even fall somewhere in-between [see below]. You should simply look for a majority of the traits listed above to “place” a particular publication. When in doubt, of course, consult with your professor or a reference librarian.
Between Scholarly and Popular: Writings of Public Intellectuals
Professional writing by academics is rarely intended for non-expert audiences, and mass-market popular writing is often superficial. Fortunately, there's an isthmus between the two landmasses: the writings of what are called "public intellectuals." The following journals and magazines are a few examples of the type. They are worth consulting if you need accessible, intelligent (and often provocative) commentary on issues of interest. Many of these titles are now available online and can be searched—for free—through the Harvard Libraries. And incidentally, many of these titles can also be browsed on Lamont’s shelves.
- American Enterprise: Explores domestic and worldwide issues from the perspective of public policy analysts and those who form such policies. Viewpoint is conservative.
- The American Scholar: Contains essays by contemporary writers on current affairs, the cultural scene, politics, science, religion, philosophy, literature and the arts.
- The American Spectator: Features investigative reporting, comprehensive book reviews, and informed analysis of current political and cultural affairs. Viewpoint is conservative
- The Atlantic Monthly: Intelligent discussions of a broad range of topics of current, political, and cultural interest.
- Commentary: Thoughtful essays, from a moderate viewpoint, on political, social, theological and cultural themes; especially focused on Jewish concerns in the U.S. and abroad. Viewpoint tends to be moderate.
- Commonwealth: Opinions on a wide variety of issues: public affairs, social affairs, religion, literature and the arts. Published by Catholic lay people, it tends toward a “slightly liberal Catholic perspective,” but represents other viewpoints as well.
- Critical Review: An interdisciplinary journal covering politics and society; articles typically focus on the theoretical or historical dimensions of an issue under discussion; aims at "dispassionate" investigation.
- Dissent: Political and cultural journal that seeks to foster an appreciation of the importance of democracy in all areas of social life. Advertises itself as a magazine “of the left” for “independent minds.”
- Harper's Magazine: A monthly magazine for the intellectually curious, concerned with issues and ideas. Many articles are excerpted from longer works, including scholarly ones.
- Mother Jones: Magazine of politics and award-winning investigative journalism; devotes itself to “progressive causes” and liberal viewpoints.
- The Nation: A journal of politics, economics, education, foreign policy, labor, law and other social issues, literature and the arts. Viewpoint is liberal and left.
- National Review: Provides first hand reports on national, international and cultural affairs; its special focus is on Washington and other political hot spots. Viewpoint is conservative and right.
- New Criterion: Criticism on cultural and artistic life in America, geared at the informed reader rather than the scholar.
- New Republic: A journal of opinion, comment, and criticism in politics, economics, foreign affairs, literature, and the arts. Makes an effort to be even-handed, rather than partisan in its treatment of contemporary issues.
- The New York Review of Books: Thoughtful essays on important current issues by some of the best and best-known writers of the day. Its lengthy book reviews and commentaries attempt to position scholarly research within the broader context of public affairs.
- New Yorker: Essays by well-respected writers on domestic and international topics and events; also known for its cartoons, poetry, short fiction, criticism and comment on sports, fashion, the arts.
- NPQ [New Perspectives Quarterly]: Each issue treats a single theme; articles are drawn from numerous viewpoints and thus enable readers to see a topic from its many sides. Authors are often internationally recognizable figures.
- The Progressive: Political, social, and economic analysis, investigative reporting, and commentary. Viewpoint tends to the left; advertises itself as “one of the leading voices for peace and social justice in America.”
- Tikkun: Aims to “question traditional liberal and progressive approaches to political and social issues” in its articles; also includes some poetry and fiction, and devotes a portion of each issue to contemporary Jewish concerns,
- TLS: Times Literary Supplement: Lengthy book reviews and erudite and informative commentary on wide range of social, political, cultural, and artistic topics. TLS tends toward the conservative, but its stated position is non-partisan. Widely admired.
- Utne Reader: Feature articles and cover stories on a range of current issues; material is culled from alternative and independent press publications.
- Washington Monthly: The world's opinion makers present their views on defense and security, foreign affairs, and international problems; articles are always provocative.
- The Wilson Quarterly: Bills itself as a “national review of ideas and information” under public debate; essays are written by leading thinkers in a field and cover a variety of viewpoints.
Good Databases to Check: Academic Search Premier; LexisNexis Academic(especially for newspaper editorials and commentary written by prominent figures); and Factiva (for magazine and newspaper editorials and coverage).
Good Print Resources to Check: Humanities Index (available in the Widener Reading Room at RR 663.2.3) and the Social Sciences Index (available in the Widener Reading Room at RR 663.2.4).
