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Pollak Library

Geography: Types of Publications

Subject guide for Geography

Scholarly Publications

Scholarly publications are written by scholars, for other scholars. You can find scholarly articles in library databases.

  • Written for scholars and college students
  • Academic language/terminology
  • May be peer-reviewed
  • Include bibliographies/reference lists
  • Articles can be long (6-40 pages or more)
  • Very few advertisements
  • Few or no pictures

Examples:

  • American Journal of Sociology
  • Social Problems
  • Crime and Delinquency
  • Journal of Sociology

Popular Publications

Popular Publications are those like magazines and newspapers

  • Written for the general public
  • Simple language for a large audience
  • Good for current news, opinions and statistics
  • Articles may contain sources for authenticity, but newspaper articles do not contain footnotes or reference lists.
  • Articles are usually short
  • Lots of advertisements
  • Extensive pictures

Examples:

  • Time
  • Newsweek
  • Sports Illustrated
  • InStyle

Trade Publications

Trade publications are written for specific groups of people in a particular industry or trade.

  • Written for working professionals
  • Uses terminology specific to that profession
  • May or may not include bibliographies
  • Articles are often short
  • Extensive advertising
  • Lots of pictures

Examples:

  • Corrections Today
  • Beverage World
  • American Libraries
  • Fast Food Times