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Scholarly, Trade, and Popular Periodicals

Understanding the Difference

Identifying Scholarly vs. Trade vs. Popular Periodicals

Here are a few ways to tell whether a source is scholarly, trade, or popular:

 
Scholarly
Trade
Popular

These periodicals are often called:

  • Journals
  • Scholarly journals
  • Peer reviewed journals
  • Refereed journals

These periodicals are often called:

  • Magazines
  • Newsletters
  • Bulletins

These periodicals are often called:

  • Magazines
  • Newspapers
  • Digests

Their intended audience is:

  • Researchers and scholars within a specific academic discipline
  • Students
  • Subject specialists

Their intended audience is:

  • Professionals who are already working in the field

Their intended audience is:

  • The general reader
  • A specific demographic group
  • Enthusiasts or hobbyists with common interests

Types of articles published:

  • Original scholarly research including abstracts, methodology, conclusions, and cited references
  • Review articles that sum up or survey the current research being done in the field
  • Discussions of current topics within an academic discipline

Types of articles published:

  • Articles that are relevant to the field
  • News and legal updates related to the field
  • Information from working professionals in the field

Types of articles published:

  • Articles related to the theme of the magazine
  • News-oriented articles
  • First-person accounts
  • Articles summarizing current research for an average reader

Published articles:

  • Are submitted by recognized scholars in the field
  • Must pass a rigorous review by a panel of subject experts
  • Must meet strict guidelines for format and content

Published articles:

  • Usually written by a magazine’s own staff writers, although they may also be submitted by experts in the field
  • Are generally checked for factual accuracy
  • Are edited for style, grammar, and punctuation

Published articles:

  • Can be written by a magazine’s own staff writers or submitted by freelance writers
  • Are generally checked for factual accuracy
  • Are edited for style, grammar, and punctuation

May include:

  • Advertisements for other scholarly publications, scholarly conferences, or professional products
  • Illustrations or photographs that enhance the understanding of an article

May include:

  • Advertisements for products or information related to the field
  • Eye-catching illustrations and photographs

May include:

  • Vast quantities of glossy advertisements
  • Eye-catching illustrations and photographs
  • Visual effects to grab a reader’s attention

Published by:

  • Scholarly or professional associations or societies
  • Universities or research institutions

Published by:

  • Organizations specific to the field
  • Commercial publishers
  • Special interest groups

Published by:

  • Corporate conglomerates
  • Commercial publishers
  • Special interest groups