Introduction
In the world of information, we often divide sources into primary, secondary, and tertiary. Among these, secondary periodicals hold a special place. They do not contain original research or firsthand information, but they help users find and access the primary documents. These periodicals help in locating, identifying, and selecting documents quickly and effectively.
What are Secondary Periodicals?
Secondary periodicals are tools that help users discover what information exists on a subject and where it can be found. They usually do not provide the complete text of the original information, but they give summaries, abstracts, indexes, or lists that guide users to the full documents. These are published regularly—weekly, monthly, or quarterly—and are considered essential for researchers, students, and librarians.
They act as a bridge between the information and the user. For example, when a researcher wants to know what articles have been published about climate change in the past year, they can use a secondary periodical like an abstracting journal to find that information.
Types of Secondary Periodicals with Examples
There are different types of secondary periodicals, each serving a unique function. Let’s understand them in detail:
1. Indexing Periodicals
Indexing periodicals provide a list of articles, books, or reports along with brief bibliographic details like author, title, subject, and source. These details help users locate the original document.
Example: Index Medicus – it lists medical journal articles from around the world.
2. Abstracting Periodicals
These are similar to indexing periodicals but provide a short summary (abstract) of each item. This helps users decide whether the full document is useful to them.
Example: Chemical Abstracts – widely used by scientists to find summaries of research in chemistry.
3. Review Journals
Review journals contain detailed summaries or evaluations of current developments in a subject area. They help researchers stay updated without reading every single research article.
Example: Annual Review of Psychology – provides reviews of recent progress in psychology.
4. Bibliographic Periodicals
These are regular publications that list bibliographies (lists of books, articles, or other sources) on specific subjects.
Example: Bibliographic Index – provides bibliographies from a wide range of subjects.
5. Current Awareness Services (CAS)
These services alert users about new publications or developments in a field of interest. They may come as newsletters or bulletins.
Example: Current Contents – gives titles and summaries of recently published scientific papers.
6. Newsletters
Although usually shorter, newsletters in professional fields often act as secondary sources by summarizing research, trends, and updates in a concise form.
Example: Library Association Newsletter – updates librarians about current events and research in library science.
Importance of Secondary Periodicals
- They save time by helping users locate relevant documents quickly.
- They guide researchers to important primary sources.
- They help in keeping track of recent developments in any subject field.
- They are essential tools in academic and research libraries.
Conclusion
Secondary periodicals are vital tools in the information world. They make it easier to locate and understand primary documents. With various types like indexing journals, abstracting services, and bibliographies, these periodicals serve different needs. For students, researchers, and professionals, they are indispensable aids for learning and discovery.