Who wrote it?

 Written by experts/ professionals in a specific field. 

 Written by experts/ professionals in a specific field.

 Written by professional or free-lance writers.  

 Generally written by those working in the specific field.

It is authored by academics and is published by a recognized society with academic goals and missions. 

The author(s) name appears at the beginning or end of the article. The author(s)’ credentials may be included as part of the article.

 The author(s) name appears at the beginning or end of the article. The author(s)’ credentials may be included as part of the article

 The author’s name does not always appear in the article.

 The author’s name does not always appear in the article.

Who reads it?

a target audience that is mainly academic Written in technical and scholarly language understood by professionals and students in that field. 

Written in technical and scholarly language understood by professionals and students in that field.

 Written for a general audience.

 Written for those working in the specific field.

 What is it like?

Deals with academic study and research in its field.

Before publication, articles reviewed by one or more outside experts (peers) in the field.

Deals with general interest and current topics.

 Rarely – if ever – includes a bibliography.

Always includes a bibliography. 

Deals with academic study and research in its field. Includes a bibliography.

Rarely – if ever – includes a bibliography.

 Deals with subjects specific or related to its field.

The articles generally have a serious, sober look. They often contain graphs, charts and occasional photographs.

Articles are often refereed/peer reviewed.

The articles generally have a serious, sober look. They often contain graphs, charts and occasional photographs. A journal that is peer-reviewed is not always considered scholarly.

The articles generally have glossy photographs and illustrations. The publication includes ads. 

Articles are never refereed/peer reviewed.

The articles generally have glossy photographs and illustrations. 

The publication includes advertisements.

Some trade publications are actually peer reviewed, but that doesn’t mean they are scholarly.

How do you find articles in these periodicals?

 Found in subject specialized indexes. Some can be found in general subject indexes.

 Found in subject specialized indexes. Some can be found in general subject indexes.

 Found in general indexes.

 Found in general indexes and some subject specialized indexes.

  Examples:

Cell

Psychology, Public Policy, 

    and Law

Tourism and Hospitality

    Research 

Transportation

Zygote

Acta Criminologica

Cell

Topics in English Linguistics Urban Policy & Research

A Penny Saved

Harper’s Bazaar

National Geographic

Time

Air Cargo World

American Vegetable Grower

Boat Technology International

Dairy Farmer