|
Criteria |
Scholarly Journals |
Popular Magazines |
News Magazines |
|
Purpose |
To inform, report, and make available original research and new findings |
To entertain and inform without in-depth analysis |
To offer in-depth reporting and feature articles |
|
Content |
Research summaries, literature reviews, methodology, and theory |
Entertainment personality profiles and current popular culture articles |
Recent political and economic news background and analysis |
|
Contributors |
Academic professors and other subject specialists with credentials |
Freelance writers, journalists, and editorial staff |
Editorial staff, freelance writers and pre-eminent authors and scholars |
|
Intended Audience |
Researchers, students, and professionals in the field |
A general readership of non-specialists |
A broad, but well-read and educated, audience |
|
Sources |
Numerous footnote or endnote citations and a substantial bibliography |
Infrequently mentioned; difficult to trace or substantiate sources |
May refer to sources, but will not usually document them in a formal manner |
|
Advertising |
Limited: few or none |
Ads are present and may be a predominant feature |
Ads are present, but not predominant |
|
Appearance |
Sober, serious look; plain paper; usually black & white illustrations and graphics |
Slick & attractive: glossy paper, eye-catching cover, illustrations in color |
Glossy paper, eye-catching cover, illustrations in color |
|
Publisher |
Universities or professional societies/associations |
Business organizations |
Business organizations, individuals, or professional associations |
|
Writing style |
Assumes a highly educated readership, uses technical language & jargon |
Short, easy to read, no jargon |
Avoids jargon; strives to use non-technical language |
|
Samples |
American Psychologist Harvard Business Review Education Researcher |
Jet Chicago People |
Business Week Economist Newsweek |
|
Ask to see the Ulrich’s International Periodicals Directory to verify that a journal is scholarly. You may limit database searches to “peer reviewed” in EBSCO’s databases or to “refereed” in Expanded Academic ASAP. In First Search’s WilsonSelectPlus, search by “peer-reviewed journal” in the “Reviewed Journal Phrase” field. |
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|
Criteria |
Scholarly Journals |
Trade/Industry Journals |
Popular Magazines |
Newspapers/News Magazines |
|
Examples |
American Psychologist |
Publishers Weekly |
Jet |
Economist |
|
Audience |
Researchers, students, and professionals in the field |
Members of a specific business, industry or organization |
General public |
A broad, but well-read and educated, audience |
|
Purpose |
To inform, report, and make available original research and new findings |
Provide practical industry information |
To entertain and inform without |
To offer in-depth reporting and feature articles |
|
Content |
Research summaries, literature reviews, methodology, and theory |
Industry news or trends and product information |
Entertainment personality profiles and current popular culture articles |
Recent political and economic news background and analysis |
|
Contributors |
Academic professors and other subject specialists with credentials |
Industry specialist or staff writer (articles may be unsigned) |
Freelance writers, journalists, and editorial staff |
Journalists, editorial staff and freelance writers |
|
Sources |
Numerous footnote or endnote citations and a substantial bibliography |
Articles generally do not contain references or footnotes |
Infrequently mentioned; difficult to trace or substantiate sources |
May refer to sources, but will not contain references or footnotes |
|
Advertising |
Limited: few or none |
Ads and/or classifieds for related goods, services or employment |
Ads are present and may be a predominant feature |
Ads are present and prominently placed |
|
Appearance |
Sober, serious look; plain paper; usually black & white illustrations and graphics |
Generally has many illustrations |
Slick & attractive: glossy paper, eye-catching cover, illustrations in color |
Plain paper and contains advertising |
|
Publisher |
Universities or professional societies/associations |
Published for profit or by professional or trade association |
Published for profit |
Published for profit |
|
Writing style |
Assumes a highly educated readership, field specific jargon Scholarly language |
Technical, containing jargon of the industry |
Short, easy to read, no jargon |
Avoids jargon; strives to use non-technical language |