Popular Magazines vs. Scholarly Journals

MAGAZINES

JOURNALS

Written for a general audience (no subject expertise is required)

Written for scholars in the field (advanced education is usually required to understand)

Published frequently (daily, weekly or monthly). Date included on publication -December 6, 1999;
January 2000, etc.

Published less frequently (monthly, quarterly, or annually). Date or number structure included on
publication -Vol. 1 no. 3; 1998; Vol.IV, etc.

Each issue starts with page 1

Generally, each volume starts with page 1 and each new issue starts where the last issue left off in page numbering

Sources are rarely given in footnotes or bibliography

Bibliography and footnotes/endnotes frequently present

Generally have glossy pictures

Generally do not have pictures. Charts or graphs may be present.

Articles are generally shorter (less than 10 pages)

Articles are generally longer (more than 10 pages)

Published by a for-profit company

Published by a professional organization or university

Author may be unknown, or not have special credentials

Author’s credentials/ affiliations are given

Articles are not peer- reviewed

Articles are peer-reviewed (author submits to an editorial board made up of experts in the field which may accept the article as is, ask for revisions, or reject)