Types of Periodicals:
Scholarly
Journals, Popular Magazines, Newpapers and Trade Publications
Different types of publications have different purposes
and different audiences. When we talk about journals/magazines, we can usually
divide these publications into three broad categories: scholarly journals,
popular magazines, and trade publications.
Scholarly Journals
- Authors are authorities in their
fields.
- Authors cite their sources in endnotes,
footnotes, or bibliographies.
- Individual issues have little or no
advertising.
- Articles must go through a peer-review or
refeered process.
- Articles are usually reports on scholarly
research.
- Illustrations usually take the form of
charts and graphs.
- Articles use jargon of the
discipline.
|
 |
 |
Trade Publications
- Authors are specialists in a certain field
or industry.
- Authors often mention sources, but rarely
formally cite them in bibliographies.
- Intended audience includes people in the
industry or people seeking employment in the industry.
- There is no peer review process.
- Articles give practical information to
people in an industry.
- Some illustrations are included, usually
charts, graphs, etc.
- Authors use jargon of the
industry.
|
Popular Magazines and
Newpapers
- Authors are magazine staff members or free
lance writers.
- Authors often mention sources, but rarely
formally cite them in bibliographies.
- Individual issues contain numerous
advertisements.
- There is no peer review
process.
- Articles are meant to inform and
entertain.
- Illustrations may be numerous and
colorful.
- Language is geared to the general adult
audience (no specialized knowledge of jargon needed).
|
 |
Examples of the four major categories of
periodicals:
| Scholarly
Journals |
Trade
Publications |
Popular
Magazines |
Newpapers |
Current
Psychology Research and Reviews |
Information
Today |
Psychology
Today |
New York Times |
| Geographical
Perspectives |
Aviation
Week and Space Technology |
Discover |
USA Today |