This guide is designed to accompany Dr. Morris' CMP 100 online class, Assignments 3 and 4
Trade Publications - Definition
A trade publication, also known as a trade journal or trade magazine, is a regularly published collection of articles that address topics of interest to members of a particular profession, industry, or trade.
Characteristics of trade publications:
Target audience: Trade publications are typically targeted at professionals working in a particular industry or field.
Authors: Professionals in the field, or journalists who specialize in writing about that field.
Content: Trade publications typically publish articles on industry trends, news, best practices, and other topics of interest to their target audience.
Format: Trade publications are typically published in print or online format.
Frequency: Trade publications may be published on a weekly, monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, or annual basis.
Trade Publication in the Library Databases
Using the Library Databases you can find trade journals by looking in the databases that index magazines and journals and then narrow by trade journals.
ProQuest Research Library - put in your search scroll down to SOURCE TYPES, pick TRADE PUBLICATIONS.
Business Source Complete (A-Z Database Link) is an excellent source of trade journals for business.
Search Everything Tab- on the library homepage. Do a search on your topic e.g. Business, and then limit to Trade Publications using SOURCE TYPES box on the top:
Finding if the library has a specific trade journal
If you want to find a specific trade journal, for example, Billboard, there is a special tool on the library homepage for that.
On the homepage, in the menu bar on the upper right, select the FIND drop-down menu and then select JOURNALS
How to find if the library has the journal you need
Type the name of your journal in the search box and SEARCH.
The result will show you all the databases that index that magazine, and the range of dates available to you. You can search with keywords in the search box, or select a database that suits your needs to browse each issue. Note: Advertisements are usually not indexed by database providers.
Examples and Links to trade publications at the Library
AdWeek (advertising)
AdAge (advertising)
Billboard (music and entertainment industries)
The Chronicle of Higher Education (higher education)
Engineering News Record (engineering)
Forbes (business)
Law360 (law)
Nursing Management (nursing)
PC Magazine (computers)
Primary Matters (elementary education)
Publishers Weekly (book publishing)
Restaurant Business (restaurants)
The Wall Street Journal (business)
WD (Women's Wear Daily) (fashion)
For local trade information, local newspapers can be a good source of information.
