HLTH 235: Food Systems

Journal articles are important sources for your research as they contain the most-up-to-date research in a given field and often focus on a particular aspect of a topic. 

To locate articles on your topic, use Omni or use a subject index or a database such as the ones recommended on this guide. 

Scholarly journals are also referred to as "academic," "peer-reviewed," or "refereed" journals. 

One-way researchers try to ensure the legitimacy of their work is to have it peer reviewed prior to publication. 

• Peer review is the evaluation of scientific or academic work by others working in the same field. 
• A peer-reviewed or refereed journal is one in which manuscripts submitted by authors are reviewed by experts on the topic before being accepted for publication in the journal. 

Academic Journals

• Have articles that are written by a scholars or experts in the field. 
• Have articles that use the terminology and language of the subject covered. 
• Have articles that are footnoted and/or have a bibliography.
• Tend to have words like journal, studies, review, annual, or quarterly in the title. For example: Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development.
• May have a university name or an academic society in the title. For example: Berkeley Journal of Criminal Law or Journal of the Canadian Historical Association.

If you are unsure whether the publication is academic or peer-reviewed:  search the web for the journal's homepage and look at the Editorial or Submissions policy and use Ulrich's Periodicals Directory to find out more about the publication.