The Three Kinds of Publications
Most periodical publications fall into one of three basic types, which are described in detail in this guide: scholarly, trade, and popular. For academic research, your instructors will usually want you to use scholarly sources but knowing about the other types is valuable as well. In some disciplines, trade journals are very useful sources of information to stay current in the field.
Scholarly Journals
For research assignments, a professor may require that you use articles from "scholarly" or "peer reviewed" journals. These are journals whose purpose is to disseminate new findings, results of studies, theories, etc.
Scholarly journals are written and edited by professors and researchers. Before publication, articles are reviewed by other researchers in the field of interest, hence the name "peer reviewed."
Many library databases allow you to limit your search results to peer reviewed articles.
Appearance & Format
- "Journal," "Transactions," "Proceedings," or "Quarterly" commonly appear in the journal title.
- Articles include sections such as abstract, keywords, literature review, methodology, results, conclusion.
- Advertising is limited to books and meetings.
Authors & Editors
- Authors are scholars writing about their own research.
- Authors are affiliated with a college, university, or research institute.
- Articles are reviewed by a board of experts ("peer reviewed").
Readership & Language
- Content is aimed at practitioners in a particular field of study.
- Intended to share research or scholarship with the academic community.
- Content includes research results/reports; reviews of research; book reviews.
- The language is often intensely academic, using the jargon of the field.
Documentation
- Sources are always cited using footnotes or parenthetical references.
- There is a "works cited" section at end of articles, bibliographies, endnotes, footnotes.
Examples
Trade and Professional Journals
Trade journals are written for "insiders" in a particular industry. Reviews are done by a staff editor.
Appearance & Format
- The title usually includes the name of the industry or profession.
- Article types include industry news, opinion, practical advice, and product reviews.
- Advertising is aimed at industry professionals.
Authors & Editors
- Authors are usually specialists in the field, can be staff writers, sometimes journalists.
Readership & Language
- Content is aimed at practitioners in a particular industry or profession.
- Intent is to inform about business or industry news, trends, or products.
- Articles use jargon of the industry.
Documentation
- Articles may or may not include citations.
Examples
Popular Magazines
Popular publications include news, feature stories, opinion/editorial pieces, etc. They are meant to inform and entertain. Minimal review by staff editor.
Appearance & Format
- Articles are of short to medium length.
- Advertising is abundant, usually for general consumer products.
- The publication features colorful photos and illustrations.
Authors & Editors
- Authors are magazine staff members or free-lance writers.
- There is no peer-review process.
Readership & Language
- Articles are written to appeal to a broad segment of the population.
- Articles are written for a general audience and are fairly jargon-free.
Documentation
- Citations and bibliographies are rare. May be informal (ex., according to... or links)
