How can you tell the difference between magazines and scholarly journals? Use the chart below.
If you need additional help, please Ask a Librarian.
| |
Magazines |
Peer-Reviewed Journals |
| What does it look like? |
Usually glossy, with lots of colorful illustrations and advertisements |
More serious looking; illustrations are usually in the form of charts and graphs; little or no advertising |
| Who wrote the article? |
A journalist or freelance writer |
A researcher or expert in the field |
| Is a peer-review process used? |
No |
Yes
(the editor asks the author's peers, other experts in the field, to review the article and approve it as meeting a high standard of research.) |
| Who is the intended audience? |
General public |
Other scholars, professionals, or students in the field |
| What is the purpose of the articles? |
To inform or entertain |
To report scholarly (original) research and experiments |
| What kind of language is used? |
General- no specialized knowledge is needed |
Jargon of the discipline |
| Does the author cite his or her sources? |
Sometimes, but not usually |
Sources are always cited in footnotes, endnotes, or bibliographies |
| Examples |
People
Time
US News & World Report
Psychology Today
|
Journal of Abnormal Psychology
The Explicator
Journal of Criminal Justice Education
New England Journal of Medicine
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