A Student's Guide to Telling the Difference Between Types of Publications
If the publication in question meets most of the criteria in the SCHOLARLY column, it should qualify as scholarly or academic. If it meets criteria in the other columns, it might not fit your instructor's requirement. Also, look inside the cover or title page of a publication to see if there is an editorial statement. Does it say that it is "refereed" or "subject to peer review" or allude to how to submit manuscripts for approval? If it does, that's a sign that the publication is scholarly and possesses greater academic credibility.
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SCHOLARLY JOURNALS |
NEWS/ GENERAL INTEREST PERIODICALS |
POPULAR MAGAZINES |
SENSATIONAL PUBLICATIONS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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ADVERTISING |
Contain selective advertising |
Contain some advertising |
Contain extensive advertising |
Contain advertising as lurid and startling as the stories |
|
AUTHORS |
Written by scholars or researchers in the field or discipline; often published by an association or society devoted to a field. e.g. American Sociological Association |
Written for an educated, general audience by staff, free-lance, or scholarly writers |
Written by the staff or free-lance writers for a broad-based audience |
Written by free-lance or staff writers |
|
EXAMPLES |
Annals of Microbiology, |
Atlantic Monthly, |
Better Homes and Gardens, |
Globe, |
|
FORMAT |
Have unadorned, serious formats |
Are attractive in appearance |
Generally slick and glossy with an attractive format |
Cheap newspaper format. |
|
GRAPHICS |
Contain graphs, formulas, charts to illustrate concepts |
Include photos, illustrations, and graphics to enhance the article |
Contain photos, illustrations, and drawings to enhance the publication's image |
Contain melodramatic, lurid, or "doctored" photos |
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LANGUAGE |
Use terminology, jargon, and the language and vocabulary of the discipline covered. Reader is assumed to have similar background |
Use language appropriate for an educated readership |
Use simple language for minimal educational level. Articles are short, with little depth |
Contain language that is simple, easy-to-read and understand. Inflammatory or sensational style is often used |
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PUBLISHERS |
Generally published by professional organizations |
Published by commercial enterprises for an educated readership |
Published for profit |
Published for profit |
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PURPOSE |
To inform, report, or make original research available to the scholarly world |
Provide general information to a wide interested audience |
Designed to entertain or persuade, to sell products or services |
Arouse curiosity and interest by distorting the truth. Outrageous headlines: e.g. "President talked With Aliens" |
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SOURCES |
Cite sources with footnotes and or bibliographies |
Occasionally cite sources, but not as a rule |
Rarely cite sources |
Rarely cite sources of information |
Content Editor: Nancy Bellafante
Last Updated: 11/27/2012
