Learn Before
Case Study

Based on your understanding of the research literature, diagnose which of these two sources qualifies as a professional journal and explain why, using the defining characteristics of professional journals.

Case context: A psychology student, Maya, is tasked with gathering resources for a literature review on memory. She finds a psychology magazine published weekly that summarizes recent news, and she finds a quarterly periodical that features rigorous, double-blind peer-reviewed empirical research reports and review articles.

Question: Based on your understanding of the research literature, diagnose which of these two sources qualifies as a professional journal and explain why, using the defining characteristics of professional journals.

Sample answer: The quarterly periodical qualifies as a professional journal. This is because professional journals are defined as periodicals that are typically issued on a monthly or quarterly basis in individual volumes and publish original research. Crucially, they undergo a rigorous peer review process to ensure quality and primarily feature empirical research reports and review articles, which exactly matches the description of the second source. The weekly news magazine does not fit this definition.

Key points:

  • Identifies the quarterly periodical as the professional journal.
  • Notes the publication frequency (monthly or quarterly) aligns with the definition of a professional journal.
  • Explains that the presence of a rigorous double-blind peer review process is a defining feature.
  • Recognizes that featuring empirical research reports and review articles characterizes professional journals.

Rubric: Award full credit if the student correctly identifies the quarterly periodical as the professional journal and justifies the decision by citing its publication frequency, its rigorous peer-review process, and its inclusion of empirical research reports and review articles.

0

1

Updated 2026-05-27

Contributors are:

Who are from:

Tags

KPU

Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

Related