Journals and magazines are important sources for up-to-date information in all disciplines. It is often difficult to distinguish between the various levels of scholarship found in any periodical collection. This guide divides the criteria for periodical literature into five categories.

Scholarly journals | back to top

• Generally have a sober, serious look.
• Contain many graphs and charts, but few glossy pages or exciting pictures, and few, if any, advertisements.
• Scholarly journals always cite their sources in the form of footnotes or bibliographies.
• Articles are written by a scholar in the field or by someone who has done research in the field.
• The language of scholarly journals is that of the discipline covered. It assumes some scholarly background on the part of the reader.
• The main purpose of a scholarly journal is to report on original research or experimentation in order to make such information available to the rest of the scholarly world.
• Many scholarly journals are published by specific professional organizations.
• Be aware that scholarly journals can also be called refereed publications, refereed journals, peer reviewed journals, etc.

Examples of scholarly journals:

• Eastern Economic Journal
• College & Research Libraries
• Social Work
• Journal of Experimental Psychology

Substantive news / general interest periodicals | back to top

• These periodicals may be attractive in appearance, although some are in newspaper format.
• Articles are often heavily illustrated, generally with photographs.
• News and general interest periodicals sometimes cite sources, though most often do not.
• The language of these publications is geared to any educated audience.
• No specific specialty is assumed, only interest and a certain level of intelligence.
• Are generally published by commercial enterprises or individuals, although some emanate from specific professional organizations.
• The main purpose is to provide information to a broad audience of concerned citizens.

Examples of substantive news / general interest periodicals:

• Christian Science Monitor
• The Economist
• New York Times
• Psychology Today

Trade journals | back to top

• Are targeted for readers in specific industries.
• These journals may be attractive and illustrated with photographs.
• Contain practical information of interest to people in particular industries.
• Most articles do not cite sources.

Examples of trade periodicals:

• American Machinist
• Aberdeen's Concrete Construction
• Industry Week
• Publishers Weekly

Popular periodicals | back to top

• Come in many formats, although often slick and attractive in appearance.
• Contain many graphics (photographs, drawings, etc.)and advertisements.
• Rarely cite sources - the information is often second or third hand and the original source is sometimes obscure.
• Articles are usually short and of little depth in content, written in simple language and designed to meet a minimal education level.
• The main purpose is to entertain the reader, to sell products and/or to promote a viewpoint.

Examples of popular periodicals:

• Redbook
• Time
• Sports Illustrated
• Ebony
• Rolling Stone
• Vogue

Sensational periodicals | back to top

• Come in a variety of styles, often use a newspaper format.
• Their language is elementary, inflammatory or sensational.
• Assume a certain gullibility in their audience.
• Main purpose seems to be to arouse curiosity and to cater to popular superstitions. They often do so with flashy headlines designed to astonish readers.

Examples of sensational periodicals:

It is often difficult to distinguish the difference between scholarly and other types of journals. If you are in doubt of the type of journal you are using, ask your professor or a reference librarian at (920) 403-3160 or infodesk@snc.edu.

Need help? Ask at the reference desk of the library.