Serials are publications that are issued in regular installments, such as magazines, journals, and newspapers. They are often referred to as “periodicals” because they are published on a regular, periodic basis. Serials may be printed or electronic and may be published daily, weekly, monthly, or at other intervals. Each issue of a serial typically contains a collection of articles, stories, or other information on a particular topic or set of topics. Serials are often used as sources of current and up-to-date information in a wide range of fields and are often indexed and abstracted to make it easier to locate specific articles or topics.
There are several different types of serials that may be published, including:
- Magazines: Magazines are periodic publications that are usually published weekly, biweekly or monthly, and that contain a wide range of articles, stories, and other information on a variety of topics.
- Journals: Journals are periodic publications that are usually published monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually, and that contain articles and other information on a specific field or discipline.
- Newspapers: Newspapers are periodic publications that are usually published daily or weekly, and that contains news and other information about events and issues of current interest.
- Annuals: Annuals are periodic publications that are usually published once a year, and that contain a collection of articles, stories, or other information on a particular topic or set of topics.
- Proceedings: Proceedings are periodic publications that contain the papers, abstracts, and other information presented at a conference or other meeting.
- Bulletins: Bulletins are periodic publications that contain official announcements, reports, or other information from a government agency, organization, or other entity.
- Newsletters: Newsletters are periodic publications that contain news and other information of interest to a specific group or organization.
- Reports: Reports are periodic publications that contain the results of research, investigations, or other studies.
