There are two main types you will be expected to use.
Professional journals: these have case studies, practical advice, explanations of how new research, regulations and techniques will impact on the profession. e.g. Australian Nursing Journal.
Scholarly journals: contain new theories and results of research studies, generally from university academics and specialist research institutes. Scholarly journals, sometimes called academic journals or periodicals, are generally peer reviewed. e.g. Contemporary Nurse and Journal of Nursing Education.
What is the difference between a professional and a
scholarly journal?
Activity: Spot the difference
To confirm a journal is peer reviewed (refereed) you will need to
check Ulhrich’s Periodical
Directory . If you see the
symbol
next to the journal title, then it is definitely peer reviewed.
You may be given a reference by your lecturer or find an interesting reference at the end of an article or book that you want to read.
If you have the details (the reference) for an article you can search the library catalogue or the e-journal portal for the journal.
Once you have found the journal, you then check to see if we have that particular issue.
The catalogue and e-journal portal will tell you:
- If we have access to a journal in print or electronically
- What years we have access to
- Which databases provide access
- Where to find the journal on the library shelves
Tip: you will need to search using the journal title. If you are unsure of the journal title, roll your mouse over the following.
Tucket, AG 2004 'Truth-telling in Clinical Practice and the Arguments For and Against: A Review of the Literature' Nursing Ethics, vol. 11, no. 5, pp. 500-13.
Tip: read the instructions and follow all steps. To return here click Return to Journals or the back button. You may need to scroll vertically.
Activity: Practice searching the library catalogue
Activity: Practice searching the e-journal portal
You would normally access this from the Library homepage.