Information Sources

What are Professional or Trade Publications?

Professional or Trade Publications are journals, magazines, or other publications like newsletters that aim to provide practical industry information. Articles from these publications provide current news, trends, & products in a specific field or industry.

• Author & Editors: Written by industry professionals or journalist who have subject expertise; evaluated by editorial staff who may be experts (not peer-reviewed). Often published by professional organizations.
• Audience: Professionals in a specific industry and interested non-specialists.
• Appearance & Format: Uses specialized terminology or jargon of the profession, but not as technical as scholarly publications or as long.
• Citation: Brief Bibliography may be included, but not required.