Michigan State University

Tips for Finding Articles in the MSU Libraries

What is a Periodical?

Anything that is published at regular intervals throughout the year such as a magazine, journal, or newspaper:

  • Magazine: A magazine is a collection of articles and images about diverse topics of popular interest and current events. Usually these articles are written by journalists or scholars and are geared toward the average adult.
     
  • Journal: A journal is a collection of articles usually written by scholars in an academic or professional field. An editorial board reviews articles to decide whether they should be accepted.
     
  • Newspaper: A newspaper is a collection of articles about current events usually published daily. It is a great source for local information.