- Scholarly Journals are written by and for scholars, researchers, and professionals in a particular field. Their purpose is to review, report, and make available original research, experimentation, and information. Articles in these journals go through a peer-review or refereed process before publication. Sources are always formally cited.
- Professional Trade Journals are often considered scholarly journals. These journals are written for people working in a particular profession and articles may or may not go through a peer-review or refereed process before publication. Sources are usually cited.
- Popular Magazines are written to appeal to the general public. Their purpose is to inform and/or entertain. Sources may be mentioned but are not formally cited.
| Criteria | Scholarly Journals | Popular Magazines |
| Purpose | Review, report, and make available original research, experimentation, and information | Inform and/or entertain |
| Authors & Audience | Written by and for scholars, researchers, and professionals in a particular field | Written by magazine staff or free-lance writers for the general public |
| Format | Formal intellectual formats; graphs and charts; scholarly illustrations | Slick and glossy with attractive format; photographs and drawings to enhance their appeal |
| Sources | Usually cite sources with footnotes and/or bibliographies | May mention, but seldom cite, any sources |
| Language | Technical terminology (with which the reader is assumed to be familiar) of the discipline | Informal language appropriate to a broad-based audience |
| Advertising | May contain selective specialty advertising | Contain extensive advertising |
| Examples |
Journal of Nutrition American Journal of Education Applied Nursing Research PNAS |
Good Housekeeping Newsweek Time Scientific American |
Other Explanations of Scholarly and Popular Publications
page last updated 5/16/2013 10:05 AM