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Is it a scholarly journal? How you can tell
Periodicals are publications that are issued at regular intervals. The term
"periodical" is a general term which includes scholarly, consumer, and trade
publications. Journals are considered scholarly or research publications. They
convey specialized information that is related to a field of study. Scholarly
journals may also be called "peer reviewed," "refereed," or "juried" journals.
They are often considered the best in their fields. Magazines are considered
popular or consumer publications. They cover general interest information. Newspapers
are a special class of consumer publication. They inform about current events
but they tend to be less sensational. Trade publications may be called trade
"papers," "journals," or "magazines." They are aimed at those working in a specific
industry, or occupation.
Below are a number of criteria that will help you to determine whether or
not a publication is considered scholarly. Be aware that these are general criteria
and that individual publications may not necessarily possess all of the attributes
of a specific publication type. Additionally, a publication of one type may
have several characteristics of another publication type. Look for a majority
of the attributes listed in a category. Give criteria with an * primary consideration.
Finally, when in doubt, consult your instructor or a librarian.
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Criteria
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Scholarly Publication
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Consumer Publication
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Trade Publication
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Journal |
Popular magazine |
Trade (Paper, Journal, Magazine)
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Advertisements
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Little or no advertising. If present, is usually for books and other scholarly
items.
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Numerous advertisements (up to 3/4 of publication) often in color. Note:
Web versions may or may not have ads.
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Many advertisements of specific interest to the trade.
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Appearance
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Sedate, primarily text, charts, tables, and graphs, few if any pictures.
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(Print) Many bright glossy eye-catching illustrations.
(Web) May or may not include pictures.
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May have charts, tables, and graphs to make point.
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Article length
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Lengthy (6+ pages)
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Short (1-3 pages)
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Variable
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Audience
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Professionals, professors, graduate students, scholars, and researchers
in the field.
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The average reader, the general public, those without a college degree
in the field.
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Those who work in a specific industry, trade, or occupation, are members
of the publication's association, or pay a subscription fee.
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Author*
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Several authors, named, experts (professors, scholars) have established
credentials in field (e.g. Ph.D.s). Institutional affiliations given.
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Single author, often anonymous, freelance or staff writer, journalist,
layperson, may be a scholar, but not in the field concerned.
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Expert or practitioner in the field.
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Editing
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Articles are peer reviewed by scholars in the field who are not employees
of the publication. HINT: Look for the editorial board near the table of
contents.
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Articles are not peer reviewed, but may be reviewed by one or more persons
employed by the magazine.[editor(s) is/ are member(s) of the magazine's
staff] Corrections and rebuttals may be printed in 'letters to the editor'.
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Articles are not peer reviewed, but may be reviewed by publication's editors.
Corrections and rebuttals may be printed in 'letters to the editor'.
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Focus
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Narrow
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Broad
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Narrow
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Format
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Text includes abstract or summary, footnotes, and bibliography; may have
tables charts and graphs.
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Text with photos, sometimes simple graphs.
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Text with photos, tables, graphs, and charts.
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Frequency
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Usually published quarterly (may be less frequent) or monthly.
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Monthly, weekly, or more often.
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Weekly or monthly.
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Language
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The title may include words such as Journal, Quarterly,
Archives, Annals, Bulletin, Review, Society,
or Studies. Uses specialized or technical vocabulary.
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Uses everyday, sensationalist, or journalistic language.
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Uses jargon, technical terminology
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Location
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Usually found in college or university libraries.
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Newsstands, bookstores, grocery and drug stores, etc.
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Trade or association members subscribe to it.
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Notes*
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Includes notes e.g. footnotes or endnotes ,and references to other works
or bibliography.
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Has few if any references or notes of sources.
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May be given if required by the publication.
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Pagination
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Pages are consecutive throughout each volume.
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Each issue starts with page 1.
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Each issue starts with page 1.
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Print and Electronic Indexes
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Articles found in subject specialized indexes such as PsychFIRST.
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Articles found in general periodical indexes such as "Readers Guide
to Periodical Literature" and MasterFILE Premier.
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Articles usually found in general periodical indexes. May be found in
specialized indexes on occasion.
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Publisher
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University or academic press, or professional society or association.
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Commercial publisher, may publish many titles.
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Association or trade organization.
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Purpose
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Often reports the author's original research results, or new applications
of someone else's research.
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Informs broadly. Material is summarized from other sources and reports.
Author will have researched topic, but will not have conducted original
research, that is, not the actual calculation, experimentation or theoretical
analysis.
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Informs the membership of industry happenings, inventions and issues.
Content is for special interests, frequently commercial or for-profit.
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Topic
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Has a narrow or specific focus, deals exclusively with a single scholarly
field. HINT: examine the table of contents.
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Informs on a variety of topics including current events, opinion, special
interest, or entertainment.
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Specific and of interest to subscribers and those in the industry. Include
news items, articles, lists of publications, descriptions of goods and services,
statistical data and legislative activities, etc. which are relevant to
the field.
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Examples
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"Journal of Educational Research"
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"Time," "Sports Illustrated," and "The Atlantic
Monthly"
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"Advertising Age" and "Library Journal"
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Criteria
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Scholarly Publication
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Consumer Publication
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Trade Publication
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Journal |
Popular magazine |
Trade (Paper, Journal, Magazine)
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Material adapted from:
Campbell, K. (1996). Scholarly vs. popular journal articles. Retrieved July
1, 2005, from Hamline University, Bush Memorial Library.
http://www.hamline.edu/bushlibrary/find_articles/Help/scholarly_vs_pop.html
Dintrone, C. (1991). What is a scholarly journal? San Diego State University
Egyhazi, S. E. (Producer/Director). (1997). An Introduction to Library Research
[Motion Picture]. (Available from Indiana University Libraries, 1320 E. Tenth
Street, Bloomington, IN 47405)
Irwin, K. (2002). What is a scholarly journal? Retrieved June 28, 2005, from
Wittenberg University, Thomas Library
http://www6.wittenberg.edu/lib/research/schol-pop.php
Popular, trade or scholarly articles? (n.d.). Retrieved June 28, 2005, from
Indiana Wesleyan University, Jackson Library
http://www.indwes.edu/ocls/Scholarly_Journal_Tutor.html
Popular vs. scholarly: How to tell the difference between a magazine and a
journal. (2005). Retrieved June 28, 2005, from University of Mary Washington,
Simpson Library
http://www.library.umw.edu/scholpopu.html
Rearick, D. (n.d.). Periodicals. Retrieved June 29, 2005, from Truman State
University, Pickler Memorial Library
http://www2.truman.edu/~drearick/LIB111/PERIODICALS.doc
Scholarly journals vs. popular magazines: What's the difference? (2005). Retrieved
June 28, 2005, from Alliant International University, Walter Library
http://www.alliant.edu/library/research/scholar.htm
Prepared by Lynn Scott
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