Scholarly or Academic Journals | Popular Magazines | |
Audience | Scholars, researchers, and experts |
|
Purpose | To inform the scholarly community about the results of original research or experimentation, to explore theoretical concepts, or to examine practice. | To provide basic information for general awareness, to promote particular viewpoints, or to entertain. |
Authors | Scholars, usually professors or researchers with a graduate degree in the field. | Usually editorial staff members, freelance writers, or journalists with no special training in the field. |
Author Information | Authors' names |
Usually the byline of each article provides only the authors' names; some articles do not even list an author. |
Length/Depth | Long, Detailed. | Short, little depth. |
Vocabulary | Terminology used in the article is specialized-that of the discipline- and may contain jargon. The vocabulary assumes the reader has some knowledge of the subject. | Simple language used |
Works Cited | Sources consulted |
Articles do not have footnotes or bibliographies. Sometimes the individuals who |
Peer-Reviewed or Peer-Refereed | Articles are peer-reviewed or peer-refereed. Peer review occurs before |
Articles are not peer-reviewed. |
Illustrations | Usually articles |
|
Overall Appearance Print | Journals |
Magazines usually are visually appealing and designed to attract interest at a magazine rack or newspaper stand. Usually have advertising and |
Overall Appearance Online | Emphasizes intellectual content; often subdued colors. | Flashy colors; may include consumer product ads and may offer podcasts or blogs. |
Advertising | Few |
Many and splashy ads. |
Examples |
Child Abuse & Neglect Journal of Applied Psychology Learning Disabilities Quarterly Multicultural Education Nature New England Journal of Medicine |
Business Week Ladies' Home Journal Newsweek Psychology Today Scientific American Time |