Special Education

APA Style

In education, the American Psychological Association (APA) Style is usually the preferred citation style for bibliographies and in-text.

Visit the UNM CAPS Writing Center for additional help with citations. 

Top Education Literature Databases

Research Databases - Multiple disciplines

Scholarly v. Popular

There are three major types of publication for a student to know.  Be aware there is variation among disciplnes especially for scholarly journals.

  • Scholarly Journals - A peer-reviewed periodical in which scholarship relating to a particular academic discipline is published. They serve as forums for the introduction and presentation for scrutiny of new orignal research, and the critique of existing research. 
  • Trade Publication - These publication are written for and by people in the discipline or industry.  They provide latest news that may affect the profession, new techology, highlight a specific case, summarize orginal research from a scholarly article, and more.
  • Popular Magazines - These are written for the general public on popular topics.

Below is a criteria to distinguish the difference and examples at the bottom.

 

SCHOLARLY JOURNAL

TRADE PUBLICATION

POPULAR MAGAZINE

PURPOSE

Present new research findings. Advance knowledge in the field.

Inform, persuade, or sell. May summarize the work of scholars.

Inform, persuade, entertain, or sell. May summarize the work of scholars.

AUTHOR

Scholars listed with credentials and, if applicable, university affiliation.

Journalists, staff, or free-lance writers. Articles may be unsigned.

Journalists, staff, or free-lance writers. Often unsigned.

SCOPE

Limited to a field of study, or narrower.

Single industry trends, new products or techniques, and organizational news.

Varies.

AUDIENCE

Scholars, researchers, professionals, and students.

Members of a specific business, industry or organization.

Public-at-large.

PUBLICATION PROCESS

Refereed (reviewed by other scholars before publication).

Edited.

 

Edited.

STRUCTURE

Formal. Includes a list of works cited (references). Pagination is consecutive throughout each volume.

Informal. Moderate advertising as related to the industry or trade. Each issue begins with page 1.

Informal. Often contains eye-catching advertising and flashy graphics and photographs. Each issue begins with page 1.

SUPPORT OF ARGUMENT

Research built on prior research.

Confirmed sources or opinion. May summarize the work of scholars.

Confirmed sources or opinion. May summarize the work of scholars.

EXAMPLES

Ethnography and Education

Physical Educator

J. of Educational Change

NASSP Bulletin

Education Digest

Scholastic News

Science Teacher

Prevention

Time

Psychology Today

 

Journal Search

Use the search box below to locate a specific journal.