Below is a chart that can help you distinguish between a scholarly (aka a peer-reviewed or academic) journal and a popular, general interest publication:
|
Feature |
SCHOLARLY JOURNAL |
POPULAR MAGAZINE |
BUSINESS TRADE PUBLICATION |
NEWSPAPER |
|
Author |
Scholar or researcher in field with stated credentials and affiliations |
Staff writer, journalist, often a generalist |
Staff writer, journalist often with expertise in field |
Staff writer, journalist, columnist |
|
Sources and Documentation |
All references cited; extensive bibliographies and/or footnotes |
No formal list of references; original sources may be obscure |
May refer to reports; no formal list of references |
May refer to reports; no formal list of references |
|
Editorial Process |
Peer-reviewed or refereed |
Reviewed by a single editor |
Reviewed by a single editor |
Reviewed by a single editor |
|
Purpose |
To present research findings and expand knowledge in a discipline or field |
To inform about current or popular events, issues or popular culture; to entertain |
To identify trends in a specific field or commerce; report on an industry and its related products |
To inform about current events and issues internationally, domestically, and locally |
|
Structure of Articles |
Long (10+ pages) articles with sections such as: Abstract, literature review, methodology, results, conclusion |
Mix of short with in-depth articles on a variety of subjects |
Industry specific articles of varying length |
Brief articles, unless feature |
|
Frequency of Publication |
Annually, semi-annually, quarterly, or monthly |
Monthly or weekly |
Monthly or weekly |
Weekly or daily |
|
Titles |
May contain the words "Journal of", "Review" or "Annals"; may contain the name of a discipline or field; may be lengthy |
Straightforward; may address a general theme or subject |
Usually short and catchy; may contain the name of a trade or industry |
Usually reflects a geographic location |
|
Print Appearance |
Book-like; primarily black and white; mostly dense text with few graphics; no ads |
Very glossy and colorful; high impact visuals and design; some feature columns; many full page advertisements |
Glossy with high impact graphics; regularly scheduled featured columns; pictorials of industry events; industry-related advertisements |
Newsprint; lengthy and brief articles; regularly scheduled featured columns |
|
Language |
Complex and academic; includes field-specific jargon |
Simple and non-technical |
Mix of jargon and technical |
Mix of simple and sophisticated |
|
Illustrations |
Complex tables or graphs to display research data |
Photos and colorful graphics for entertainment and visual impact |
Colorful graphics and photos for emphasis |
Photos and graphics for emphasis |
|
Advertisements |
Rare or none at all |
Very frequent |
Frequent, targeting a specific trade or industry |
Frequent |
|
Intended Audience |
Scholars, academics, researchers, advanced students |
General public |
Industry members, professionals and stakeholders |
General public, some with slant (for instance, Wall Street Journal for business people) |