To learn if the University Libraries subscribes to a specific journal, either online or in print, go to the Periodical Holding List. This search can also be peroformed from the Universities Libraries Homepage. You can search by title (exact, starts with, or anyword) or subject/ discipline.
They are published periodically. Therefore, if you see the word "periodicals" you know that the author is referring to newspapers, magazines, or journals. Books are NOT periodicals. Books are published once, or have editions. A book on a singular topic is often referred to as a "monograph."
Definition of MONOGRAPH : a learned treatise on a small area of learning; also : a written account of a single thing
Monograph. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved September 13, 2013, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monograph
Use the journal tab if you know the name of the journal you are looking for. You can also browse journals by discipline.
Some are aimed at a learned, scholarly community; they are peer-reviewed journals. Others are tailored to professions, trades, or industry; they are referred to as trade, professional, or industry publications or magazines. They are NOT peer-reviewed and rarely include references. They DO include ads targeted to the trade, industry, or profession, and do have useful journalistic articles.
When sizing up an article or a periodical title, use the elements of critical thinking.