The characteristics of different periodicals
The characteristics of three different types of periodicals. The column show every type of periodical and the rows show the characteristics.
Scholarly journals | Trade/professional journals | Popular magazines |
|---|---|---|
Aim at scholars within the field | Aim at professionals within the field | Aim at the public |
Present the results of research | Present information for those who work within a certain profession | Main aim is to inform and entertain the readers |
Reviewers (referees) evaluate the articles prior to publication (peer reviewed) | Evaluated by the editor | Evaluated by the editor |
The editors are usually well-established researchers | The editors are usually professionals within the field | Editor at the publishing firm |
The authors are usually researcher affiliated with a university or research institute | The authors are professionals within the field | The articles are usually written by reporters of the magazine or freelance writers |
Are published by universities or academic associations/ publishers | Are often published by professional associations | Are usually published by commercial publishers |
Often illustrated with tables and diagrams, rarely with pictures | Occasionally illustrated | Often illustrated |
The articles are usually long, contains footnotes and reference lists | The sources are rarely stated and footnotes and reference lists are seldom included | The articles are usually short and seldom contains footnotes or reference lists |
Technical language | Language which includes som technical terminology but still easily comprehensible | Easy-to-understand language |
Few ads, if any | The ads are directed towards professionals within the field | The ads are directed towards the general public |
