Scholarly Journal

Trade Journal

Popular Magazine

Audience

Scholars, researchers, students of the field

People working in a particular industry or trade

General public

Author(s)

Specialists in the field, usually scholars with Ph.D.s, M.D.s, etc., Often multiple authors.  Affiliations and contact information provided. 

Industry practitioners and professional writers.  Author(s) may or may not be identified. 

Journalists, free-lance writers, editors.  Author(s) may be identified simply as “Staff Writer.”

Appearance

Plain cover; dense text; scant use of color; few or no advertisements.  Table of contents often on cover.

Glossy or newspaper-like; advertisements aimed at members of that industry

Glossy cover and paper; lavish use of color and graphics; abundant advertisements

Coverage

Original research and scholarship; expert opinion.

Industry trends, news, and statistics

Popular topics and current events

Purpose

Scientific communication with members of that discipline, especially to share results of original research.

Keep members of that industry abreast of news and trends

Entertainment; general knowledge.

Content

Lengthy articles, written in technical language.  Usually peer-reviewed.  Usually include abstract.  Data, calculations, charts & graphs may be included.

Shorter articles, often including jargon specific to the industry.  May contain an occasional peer-reviewed article. 

Written in relatively simple language, appropriate for the average reader.

Objectivity

Neutral, unless an opinion piece (editorial, letter to the editor, etc.).  Often published by professional associations, e.g., American Medical Association. 

May reflect the industry’s point of view, particularly on regulatory and legislative issues.  Often published by trade associations or by for-profit companies.

May reflect the editorial bias of the magazine.  Usually published by commercial entities.

Cost

Often very expensive with subscriptions ranging from hundreds of dollars per year to over $10,000/year.

Inexpensive.  Often free to members of association or industry.

Inexpensive.

Availability

Generally only by subscription.  US government publications may be free on Internet.

By subscription or distributed free to members of association or industry.

Subscription or for purchase at retail establishments; often sold on newsstands.

Cited references

Always included, often numbering into the hundreds for review articles.

Occasionally included.

Rarely included; vague references may be embedded within text.

Examples

Journal of Applied Physiology, Vox Sanguinis, The Lancet, Clinical Microbiology Reviews.

Dentistry Today, Medical Laboratory Observer, Advance for Respiratory Care Practitioners.

Health, Psychology Today, Newsweek, New Yorker, Runner’s World.