Cañada College Library -- Scholary Vs. Non-Scholarly Journals

Cañada College Library
Scholarly Journals vs. Magazines

Critically evaluating resources is an important piece of the research process. In order to effectively evaluate articles, it is useful to distinguish scholarly journals from non-scholarly journals. Journals can fall into one of four categories: scholarly, general interest, popular or sensational. The chart below can help researchers in determining the difference between a scholarly journal and a popular magazine. To locate information on the remaining two categories refer to the websites listed at the bottom of this page.

Scholarly Journals Popular Magazines

Have a serious look.
Contains graphs and charts but few photos. Have a slick look. Include illustrations, drawings, or color photos.

Always cite their sources with footnotes or bibliography. Sometimes sources are cited, but usually not.

Written by a scholar or researcher in the field.
Generally written by a member of the magazine's staff or a free lance writer.
Articles may also be unsigned.

Written for an audience with background in the field. Covers general interests and appeals to a broad audience.
Main purpose is to entertain.

Much of the research done is original. Information is second or third hand.

Includes few advertisements.
Includes many advertisements.

Many of these journals are published by
professional organizations, scholarly presses or universities.
Published by commercial presses.

EXAMPLES:
Journal of Marriage and Family
American Economic Review
Modern Fiction Studies

EXAMPLES:
Time
People Weekly
Sports Illustrated

Adapted from: Engle, Michael. (1999, September 9). Distinguishing scholarly journals from other periodicals. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Library. Retrieved on July 20, 2000 from the World Wide Web: http://www.library.cornell.edu/okuref/research/skill20.html

Winston Salem State University Library. (2000, February 25). Library guides - distinguishing between scholarly journals and other periodicals. Winston-Salem, NC: Winston-Salem University. Retrieved on July 20, 2000 from the World Wide Web: http://www.wssu.edu/library/guides/popschol.asp

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Last Updated: 01 April, 2001

Scholarly Journals	Popular Magazines
Have a serious look. Contains graphs and charts but few photos.	Have a slick look. Include illustrations, drawings, or color photos.
Always cite their sources with footnotes or bibliography.	Sometimes sources are cited, but usually not.
Written by a scholar or researcher in the field.	Generally written by a member of the magazine's staff or a free lance writer. Articles may also be unsigned.
Written for an audience with background in the field.	Covers general interests and appeals to a broad audience. Main purpose is to entertain.
Much of the research done is original.	Information is second or third hand.
Includes few advertisements.	Includes many advertisements.
Many of these journals are published by professional organizations, scholarly presses or universities.	Published by commercial presses.
EXAMPLES: Journal of Marriage and Family American Economic Review Modern Fiction Studies	EXAMPLES: Time People Weekly Sports Illustrated