Periodical and Serial as Contested Newspaper, Magazine and Journal-Related Concepts

• In Event: ICA Interactive paper/Poster Session I
  In Interactive Paper Session: Mass Communication Interactive Poster Session

Abstract

Definitions differ for periodical and serial, two foundational concepts related to the newspaper, magazine, journal and other publication forms. Variously used in the scholarly literature as synonyms and as conceptually distinct concepts with multiple meanings, disputes about how to define and operationalize the terms contribute to the global contestedness of the concepts, affecting how they are used in mass communication literature. Gallie’s (1955-1956) core criteria for identifying essentially contested concepts provide the framework for this review of the literature, which includes recommendations for scholars working with contested concepts and suggestions for further research. The extended abstract includes selected references.

Author

• Marcia R. Prior-Miller, Iowa State U