ENGL 127 Research Writing: Social Sciences

For students doing research on social science topics

Print / Digital Journalism - Newspapers & Magazines

Why Use News Sources?

image of magazine and newspaper covers

Why use Magazine articles?

  • Most magazine articles are written by reputable journalists for a general audience. 
  • Because they are published weekly, articles may be longer and more substantive than newspaper articles, but more accessible than scholarly articles.
  • Journalists research their stories by speaking to experts as well as those impacted by events.
  • Facts are checked for accuracy and lack of bias by an editor.
  • Some magazines are magazines of opinion.

Why use Newspaper articles?

  • Newspapers are generally published on a 24 hour news cycle, so they provide a snapshot of current events and issues. 
  • Read newspaper articles to learn about current and past international, national and local concerns. 
  • Newspapers can also offer in-depth analysis of issues. The Sunday edition of The New York Times, for example, provides thoughtful, well-researched news and analysis. 
  • Journalists research their stories by speaking to experts as well as those impacted by events.
  • Facts are checked for accuracy and lack of bias by an editor.
A Note on Editorial Content:

Newspapers and magazines also contain editorials written by the staff editorial board, as well as op-eds and opinion pieces written by a range of stakeholders. Read editorial content to learn about viewpoints on current and past international, national and local issues.

Holman Library One Search

Search all library databases at once. Limit to newspapers and magazines, and by date.

News in Library Databases

Use search filters to limit your search to magazines and/or newspapers.

In Multidisciplinary Databases:
In Newspaper Databases
Go Directly to Alternative Publications in ProQuest

Use the database to help you. You can:

  • Connect keywords
  • Limit to a source type
  • Limit to a publication
  • Set a date range
  • Find additional relevant keywords and subject terms
  • Read abstracts
  • Find a range of relevant sources

The image below shows a search in Academic Search Complete for magazine articles about Hollywood AND diversity OR racism.

Search of hollywood AND diversity OR rac*

Suggested Newspapers

Suggested Magazines

Sample Search in Academic Search Complete

Library Database are Discovery Tools. You can:

  • Focus keywords with AND or OR
  • Limit to a source type
  • Limit to a document type, such as feature or cover story
  • Limit to a specific publication, such as the New York Times
  • Set a date range to find current enough stories
  • Find additional relevant keywords and subject terms
  • Read abstracts to determine if an article is relevant and useful to you
  • Find a range of relevant sources

Click on image to enlarge

Image search of "white privilege" AND education OR college university - date limit of 5 years - can limit to either or both magazines and newspapers at the results list. Click on more to select two at once.

screenshot of ProQuest Search

Local Mainstream Print News

Local Alternative & Independent Newspapers

KCLS historic newspapers

Accessing the KCLS Library System

As a student at Green River College, you automatically have access to online library resources at King County Library System. 

King County Library System logo

Use the links below to find streaming videos!
  • To Log in: use GRC + your student username. (The part before the @ in your GRC email address.)
  • Example OLD email: GRCjsmith23
  • Example NEW email: GRCsmith.jane.23
  • PIN number: your pin is the last four characters of your log in. Example: e.23

Once on the KCLS website, be sure to look for the databases that house historic Newspapers