Skip to Main Content
It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results.
Comparing Sources
Scholarly Journals
Popular Magazines
Trade Journals
written for experts and academics
written for a general audience
written for a specific industry
in print contains few if any ads or illustrations
in print contains many ads and illustrations
may contain ads or illustrations
will have footnotes, bibliography, or a works cites
usually do not have a works cited or bibliography
may have a bibliography
written by experts in the field
written by journalists, editorial staff, and freelancers
may be written by experts
generally peer reviewed by a field of experts
only reviewed by editorial board
may or may not be reviewed
articles will generally include an abstract
will not have an abstract
may not have an abstract
Examples: American Journal of Psychology, New England Journal of Medicine, Wisconsin Studies in Contemporary Literature
Examples: Newsweek, National Geographic, Cosmo
Examples: Advertising Age, Food Trade Review
