Gingrich Library: Your Success Is Why We're Here!
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Characteristics |
Scholarly Journal |
Popular Magazine |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Coverage |
Original research results and scholarship |
Popular topics and current events |
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Slant |
Supposed to present objective/neutral viewpoint |
May reflect the editorial bias or slant of the magazine |
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Frequency |
Usually quarterly |
Usually weekly |
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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 |
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Special Features |
Illustrations that support the text, such as, tables of statistics, graphs, diagrams, maps, or photographs |
Illustrations with glossy paper or color photographs |
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Appearance |
Serious with few colors and few or no advertisements |
Glossy with pictures and advertisements |
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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 |
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References Cited |
Usually includes a bibliography and/or footnotes |
Usually has no bibliography or footnotes |
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Examples |
Ecology Social Science Quarterly American Political Science Review
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Time Newsweek Sports Illustrated Scientific American |
Primary sources are first-hand accounts of events, documents created by observers or participants of the event, or records created when the event happened. Examples: letters written during the Civil War, buildings, paintings, etc. Keep in mind-- what makes it a primary source is when it is created, not what it is.
Secondary sources are titles that discuss the subject and are written by someone other than participants and witnesses after the event has taken place. They may also be titles that analyze or discuss interpretations of the event. Examples: books written about historical events