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Evaluate Sources: Journals, Magazines, Trade Magazines
CHARACTERISTICS
SCHOLARLY JOURNALS
POPULAR MAGAZINES
TRADE MAGAZINES
ADVERTISING
Few or no advertisements
Extensive advertising
Extensive advertising
AUDIENCE
Scholars and college students
General;broad based
Working Professionals
AUTHOR
Scholars and Researchers
Staff and freelance writers
Professionals and staff
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Always include bibliographies
None
May offer a bibliography
LANGUAGE/TONE
Academic, research-oriented
Simple language
Professional terminology
LENGTH OF ARTICLE
Can be 6-40 pages
Varies; often short
Varies; often short
VISUAL DESIGN
Few or no pictures, Text w/statistics, few colors
Extensive pictures, Glossy, colorful
PUBLISHER
University or professional
For-profit commercial
Professional organizations
EXAMPLES
American journal of sociology, Ecology and Society, American music teacher
Time, National Geographic, Heirloom gardener
Poets & Writers, Astronomy, American Libraries
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