When referring to articles, the terms "scholarly" and "peer reviewed" usually mean the same thing. Peer review means that other scholars in the field check the article for errors, missing information, citations, etc. before it is published. Other terms that are used less frequently but mean the same thing are "academic" and "referreed".
Scholarly: Academic, in-depth peer-reviewed articles, original research by experts, bibliographies.
Popular: Current events, people stories, aimed for general audience.
Chart above courtesy of Lettycia Terrones
Chart below courtesy of Cynthia Bruns
| 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 & researchers |
Staff and freelance writers |
Professionals and staff |
| BIBLIOGRAPHY |
Articles: long bibliographies |
None |
Might have a short bibliography |
| LANGUAGE/TONE |
Academic, research-oriented |
Simple language |
Professional terminology |
| LENGTH OF ARTICLE |
Can be 6-40 pages |
Varies; often short |
Varies, often short |
| OVERALL APPEARANCE |
|
|
|
| PUBLISHER |
University or professional |
For-profit, commercial |
Professional organizations |
| EXAMPLES |
Scholarly journals are expensive and available through academic libraries. |
Magazines are available in bookstores and stores.
|
Trade magazines come with membership in a professional organization. |
