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Critical Thinking (GE 241)

DI Library's guide to books, websites, and other resources for students in Critical Thinking

Find Books, Magazines, Journals, Films and More

Online Library Resources

  • The LIRN Library Portal is your gateway to all online library resources. You can get there by clicking the link above and entering your DI email address and password, or clicking the LIRN Library tab in Canvas in any of your courses.

Types of Sources

Types of Articles

  • Scholarly journal articles - in-depth, original research findings, and peer-reviewed research articles
    • Purpose: inform other experts in the field and further the scholarly conversation
    • Where to look: ProQuest databases, JSTOR Open Access

 

  • Trade journal/magazine articles - specialized industry or professional articles, typically more practical with a focus on applied knowledge
    • Purpose: inform professionals working in the field
    • Where to look: ProQuest databases, journal websites, DI Library print collection

 

  • Popular magazine articles - articles of general interest
    • Purpose: inform or entertain the general public
    • Where to look: ProQuest databases, magazine websites, DI Library print collection

 

  • Newspaper articles - articles of general and local interest
    • Purpose: inform the general public
    • Where to look: ProQuest databases, newspaper websites

 

  Newspapers Magazines Trade Publications Scholarly (Academic) Journals
Author Staff writers; not always identified Staff writers; not always identified Journalist, critic or practitioner Experts in the area of study; researchers and scholars
Audience General General Practitioners in the industry Professors, researchers, practitioners, and students
Content Current events Interviews, general information, special topics, pictures, ads Interviews, industry news, trends, recent projects, pictures, ads In-depth research on specialized topics (with citations); academic book reviews; scholarly conversation (letters, opinions, responses, etc.)
Purpose Current, topical and local information Entertain, provide general and popular information Provide information about the current state of the industry Provide information about original research or experiments; report new findings in the field of research
Frequency Daily Weekly or monthly Monthly Months or years of preparation before publishing
Examples Los Angeles Times, Washington Post Time, Newsweek, Dwell, Architectural Digest Architectural Record, Interior Design, Healthcare Design Journal of Interior Design, Journal of Green Building, Environment & Behavior
Is it academic/ scholarly? NO NO NO YES