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FYS 100: Satan and Hell: Scholarly vs. Popular

This LibGuide was created for Dr. Jennifer Koosed's FYS 100: Satan and Hell course.

What it means to be peer-reviewed

Scholarly vs. Popular

Characteristics

Scholarly Journal

Popular Magazine

Length

Articles are usually 10 pages or more in length; providing in-depth analysis of topics

These are shorter articles (less than 10 pages), providing a broader overview of topics

Written by

Author is usually an expert or specialist in the field, and their name and credentials are always provided

Author is usually a journalist or a staff writer, and their name and credentials are often not provided

Language/Written for

Written in technical language for professors, researchers, and students of the field

Written at a 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 or slant of the magazine

Frequency

Usually quarterly

Usually weekly

Format/Structure

Articles are usually structured and may include an 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 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 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

Newsweek

Sports Illustrated

Scientific American