Gingrich Library: Your Success Is Why We're Here!
| Characteristics | Scholarly Journal | Popular Magazine |
|
Length |
Articles are usually 10 pages or more in length; providing in-depth analysis of topics | Shorter articles (less than 10 pages), providing broader overview of topics |
| Written by | Author usually an expert or specialist in the field, name and credentials always provided | Author usually a journalist or a staff writer, name and credentials often not provided |
| Language / Written for | Written in technical language for professors, researchers, students of the field | Written at high school level for the general public |
| Coverage | Original research results and scholarship | Popular topics and current events |
| Slant | Supposed to present objective/neutral viewpoint | May reflect the editorial bias/slant of the magazine |
| Frequency | Usually quarterly | Usually weekly |
| Format / Structure | Articles usually structured, may include: abstract, literature review, methodology, results, conclusion, bibliography | Articles do not necessarily follow a specific format or structure |
| Special Features | Illustrations that support the text, such as, tables of statistics, graphs, diagrams, maps, or photographs | Illustrations with glossy paper or color photographs |
| Appearance | Serious and sober, with few colors and few or no advertisements | Glossy, with pictures and advertisements |
| Editors | Articles usually reviewed and critically evaluated by a board of experts in the field (known as refereed or peer-reviewed) | Articles are not reviewed by experts in the field, but by editors on staff |
| References Cited | Usually includes a bibliography and/or footnotes | Usually has no bibliography or footnotes |
| Examples |
Ecology Social Science Quarterly American Political Science Review |
Time Sports Illustrated Scientific American |
A video from the North Carolina State Universities Libraries