Scholarly Journals and Popular Magazines
Scholarly (sometimes called peer-reviewed) journals differ from popular magazines in several ways. This guide to identifying characteristics should help you understand the differences:
View our new Video Tutorial on scholarly journals and popular periodicals. A text transcript is also available.
| Characteristic | Scholarly | Popular |
|---|---|---|
| Examples |  |
 |
| Purpose | Usually for a specific field | Current, general interest |
| Audience | Researchers or those of advanced reading level | General audience |
| Author | Professional, specialist, expert. Credentials provided. | Journalist, popular author, staff writer. |
| Length | Longer articles. In-depth studies | Shorter articles; overview of topics |
| Reviewed | Reviewed (refereed) by scholars, experts, or peers in field | Evaluated by staff editors |
| Illustrations | Charts, graphs, some specialized photographs | Numerous glossy and color photographs |
| Advertising | Minimal advertising; occasionally some for field-specific products. | Lots of advertising for a wide array of products |
| Language | Specialized vocabulary | Non-technical vocabulary; easier to understand |
Remember that even a scholarly journal can have editorial, opinion, or news items that would not be considered "peer-reviewed."
Need further help in identifying scholarly and popular articles?
- Some databases, such as Ebsco or ProQuest, allow you to limit your search to scholarly or peer-reviewed articles.
- UlrichsWeb Periodicals Directory will tell you whether or not a journal is refereed. Look for the Referee's jersey symbol.
- Ask a Librarian