| Criteria |
Scholarly Journal |
Popular Magazine |
Trade Magazine/Journal |
| Example |
|
|
|
| Content (Accuracy) |
In-depth,
primary account of original findings written by the
researcher(s); very specific information, with the
goal of scholarly communication. |
Secondary discussion
of someone else's research; may include personal narrative or opinion;
general information, purpose is to entertain or
inform.
|
Current news,
trends and products
in a specific industry; practical information for professionals
working in the field or industry. |
| Author (Authority) |
Author's credentials
are provided; usually a scholar or specialist with subject
expertise. |
Author is frequently a
journalist paid to write articles, may or may not have subject
expertise. |
Author is usually a professional
in the field, sometimes a journalist with subject expertise. |
| Audience (Coverage) |
Scholars, researchers,
and students. |
General public; the interested
non-specialist. |
Professionals in the field;
the interested non-specialist. |
| Language (Coverage) |
Specialized terminology
or jargon of the field; requires expertise in subject area. |
Vocabulary in general usage;
easily understandable to most readers. |
Specialized terminology
or jargon of the field, but not as technical as a
scholarly journal. |
| Graphics (Coverage) |
Graphs, charts, and tables; very
few advertisements and photographs. |
Graphs, charts and tables; lots of
glossy advertisements and photographs. |
Photographs; some graphics
and charts; advertisements targeted to professionals
in the field. |
| Layout & Organization
(Currency) |
Structured;
includes the article abstract, goals and objectives, methodology,
results (evidence), discussion, conclusion, and bibliography. |
Informal;
may include non-standard formatting. May not present supporting
evidence or a conclusion. |
Informal;
articles organized like a journal or a newsletter. Evidence drawn
from personal experience or common knowledge. |
| Accountability (Objectivity) |
Articles are evaluated by peer-reviewers*
or referees who are experts in the field; edited for content,
format, and style. |
Articles are evaluated by editorial
staff, not experts in the field; edited for format
and style. |
Articles are evaluated by editorial
staff who may be experts in the field, not peer-reviewed*;
edited for format and style. |
| References (Objectivity) |
Required.
Quotes and facts are verifiable. |
Rare.
Little, if any, information about source materials is given. |
Occasional brief
bibliographies, but not required. |
| Paging |
Page numbers are consecutive throughout
the volume. |
Each issue begins with page 1. |
Each issue begins with page 1. |
| Other Examples |
Scholarly Journal
Annals of Mathematics, Journal of Abnormal Psychology,
History of Education Quarterly, Almost anything with Journal
in the title.
|
Popular Magazine
Sports Illustrated, National Geographic, Time, Newsweek,
Ladies Home Journal, Cooking Light, Discover |
Trade Magazine/Journal
Architectural Record, PC World, Restaurant
Business, American Libraries, Psychology Today, School Band and
Orchestra |
