The following table is intended to give you an idea of the different categories of published work. Remember: your instructor is the final authority on what is “scholarly” enough for your assignment!
Scholarly Journals |
Trade Publications |
Popular Magazines |
|
|---|---|---|---|
Appearance |
Plain cover and paper. Primarily print, with few pictures. Tables, graphs and diagrams are often included. If there are ads, they are for books or conferences. |
Cover often depicts industrial setting. Pictures and illustrations in color. Colorful ads for trade-related products. |
Eye-catching cover and glossy paper. Picturs and illustrations in color. colorful ads for commerical products (trucks, cosmetics, etc.) |
Audience |
Scholars, researchers practitioners. | Members of a specific business, industry or organization. | General public. |
Authors |
Experts in field (i.e., researchers, faculty members). Credentials are given. |
Experts, practitioners in the field. Authors usually named. |
Magazine staff members, journalists, freelance writers. Articles may be unsigned. |
Content/Topic |
Research projects, methodology, literary criticism and theory. | Industry trends, new products or techniques, and organizational news. | News, personalities and general interest stories. |
Advertisements |
None or few. | Many, but specific to interest of trade publication. | Many ads for a variety of consumer goods. Up to 75% of publication can be ads. |
Publishers |
University or academic press, or commercial publishers who specialize in scholarly works. | Association or trade group. | Commercial publisher who may publish a variety of titles. |
Peer Reviewed |
Yes. | No, but corrections and rebuttals may be printed in "letter to the editor." | No, but corrections and rebuttals may be printed in "letters to the editor." |
Writing Style and Language |
Uses terminology, jargon and language of the specific discipline covered. Assumes reader has some knowledge of the subject area. |
Uses terminology and language of trade or industry covered. |
Uses easy to read, simple language. Aimed at the layperson. |
References or Bibliography |
Articles contain bibliography, references, notes and/or list of works cited. | Articles may have short bibliographies. | Articles rarely include references. |
Indexed in: |
Journals are indexed in specialized, discipline-specific indexes or databases, like ERIC (for education) or AGRICOLA (for agriculture). | Trade publications are indexed in discipline-specific databases such as ABI Inform, Business Source Premier. | Popular articles are listed in general indexes, such as the Reader's Guide or Academic Search Complete. |
Examples: |
Journal of Food Science Equine Veterinary Journal HortScience Computer Journal |
Food and Nutrition Bulletin Equine Athlete Grower Talks Computer Weekly |
Rolling Stone The Trail Rider Fine Gardening Game Hacks |