LibGuides: College Writing: Scholarly vs. Non-Scholarly Periodicals

Types of Periodicals

Always check with your instructor for which types of articles are acceptable for your coursework.

Scholarly Journals are also referred to as "academic" or "peer-reviewed" journals. They publish authoritative research articles by academics or experts in a discipline. The articles often undergo peer-review, which means they are evaluated by other experts before approved for publication.
Trade or Professional Journals are written by and for professionals in an industry. These are important for members of the profession to follow industry news and trends. They may contain data or other information useful for research.
Magazines are considered "popular"; they provide information and entertainment for the general public.

Review the chart below for criteria to distinguish the different types of periodicals.

Scholary Journals v. Popular Magazines v. Trade Magazines

Criteria	Scholarly Journal	Popular Magazine	Trade Magazine/Journal
Sample Cover
Appearance	Plain cover and plain paper B/W graphics and illustrations, charts, etc. Pages consecutive throughout each volume	Eye-catching cover and glossy paper Pictures, photos and illustrations in full color Each issue starts with page 1	Cover depicts industrial theme or setting; glossy paper Pictures, photos and illustrations in color Each issue starts with page 1
Audience	Academics and professionals	General public	Members of a specific business, industry or organization
Authors	Experts or specialists, professors or researchers. Unpaid.	Journalists, staff or freelance writers. may be unsigned. Paid.	Staff writers, industry specialists, or vendor representatives. Paid.
Editorial Review	Editorial board and peer reviewers. Unpaid.	Professional editors. Paid.	Professional editors. Paid.
References / Works Cited	Almost always	Rarely	Sometimes
Content	Reports of results of research projects, essays, methodology and theory, reviews of academic books	Popular culture, personalities, news, and general interest	Industry trends, new products or techniques, advice, first-hand reports of practical experiences, organizational news
Advertisements	few or none	many	moderate, most are trade related
Examples	American Journal of Enology and Viticulture Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice Food Culture and Society International Journal of Hospitality Management Journal of Culinary Science & Technology	Gourmet Prevention Magazine Rolling Stone Sports Illustrated Vegetarian Times	Candy Industry Chef Magazine Fruit Gardener National Provisioner Nations Restaurant News Wines & Vines

Criteria

Scholarly Journal

Popular Magazine

Trade Magazine/Journal

Sample Cover

Appearance

Plain cover and plain paper

B/W graphics and illustrations, charts, etc.

Pages consecutive throughout each volume

Eye-catching cover and glossy paper

Pictures, photos and illustrations in full color

Each issue starts with page 1

Cover depicts industrial theme or setting; glossy paper

Pictures, photos and illustrations in color

Each issue starts with page 1

Audience

Academics and professionals

General public

Members of a specific business, industry or organization

Authors

Experts or specialists, professors or researchers. Unpaid.

Journalists, staff or freelance writers. may be unsigned. Paid.

Staff writers, industry specialists, or vendor representatives. Paid.

Editorial Review

Editorial board and peer reviewers. Unpaid.

Professional editors. Paid.

References / Works Cited

Almost always

Rarely

Sometimes

Content

Reports of results of research projects, essays, methodology and theory, reviews of academic books

Popular culture, personalities, news, and general interest

Industry trends, new products or techniques, advice, first-hand reports of practical experiences, organizational news

Advertisements

few or none

many

moderate, most are trade related

Examples

American Journal of Enology and Viticulture
Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice
Food Culture and Society
International Journal of Hospitality Management
Journal of Culinary Science & Technology

Gourmet
Prevention Magazine
Rolling Stone
Sports Illustrated
Vegetarian Times

Candy Industry
Chef Magazine
Fruit Gardener
National Provisioner
Nations Restaurant News
Wines & Vines

Sample Journal	Journal of Food Science and Technology	Bon Appétit	Food Management
Stated Purpose	"Publishes peer reviewed research papers in... science, technology, packaging, and engineering of foods.... Special emphasis is given to fundamental and applied research...."	"Offers 'life through the lens of food' — cooking in, dining out, culture, travel, entertainment, shopping and design."	"Provides ideas for foodservice directors, managers and chefs through coverage of industry issues and events, operational topics and food trends that affect the noncommercial foodservice industry."
Sample Article Title	"Optimization of the production of shrimp waste protein hydrolysate using microbial proteases adopting response surface methodology"	"In search of the perfect meatball"	"UCLA hospitals go to antibiotic-free meats"

Adapted from Scholarly and Popular Materials by NCSU Libraries and Popular Magazines vs. Trade Magazines
vs. Scholarly Journals by Colorado State University Libraries.