Introduction
Often your professor will suggest that you use scholarly or peer-reviewed journal articles for your research project. It is not always easy to discern the difference between the three major article types: scholarly, trade, and popular.
Use the chart at right to help you understand these distinctions. Please consult your professor or a librarian if you are unsure about identifying a particular source in this manner.
Handout Version
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Scholarly vs. Trade vs. Popular Periodicals
| CRITERIA | SCHOLARLY | TRADE | POPULAR |
| Authors | Written by authorities/experts | Written by professionals in the field, or freelancers | Written by journalists, freelancers, or guest contributors |
| Editors | Editors require that articles be reviewed by peers | No peer-review process | No peer-review process |
| Article Length | Lengthier articles (5–20+ pages) | Short to medium-length articles (1–20 pages) | Short articles or columns (1–10 pages) |
| Publication Frequency | Published 2–4 times per year | Published weekly or monthly | Published daily (newspapers), weekly or monthly |
| Appearance | Plain covers, matte paper, few illustrations & few ads, but many tables, figures, charts, graphs | Flashy covers, glossy paper, eye-catching illustrations & ads, some photos, cartoons, sidebars | Flashy covers, glossy paper, eye-catching illustrations & ads, photos, cartoons, sidebars, sometimes newspapers |
| Purpose | Inform, report, or make available original research to scholars and researchers | Examine problems or concerns in a particular profession or industry for practitioners | Entertain or persuade readers with general interest topics, or to sell products; usually not subject-specific |
| Tone & Language | Serious, academic, subject-specific language | Educated, subject-specific language | Entertaining or news-oriented, simple language |
| References | Sources are cited: bibliography, references, and/or footnotes used | Sources are usually not cited | Sources are rarely cited: no bibliographies or footnotes |
| Access | • Through subscribing academic libraries • Indexed only in subject-specific databases such as Criminal Justice Abstracts |
• Usually sent to office of subscribing practitioners • Indexing is scattered, but fullest coverage is through business indexes such as Business Source Premier |
• Newsstands or to homes of resident subscribers • Indexed in general-purpose databases such as Academic Search Premier |
| Examples: | Business: Quarterly Review of Economics & Business Psychology: Journal of Family Psychology Criminal Justice: Justice Quarterly Theology: Catholic Historical Review Nursing: Critical Care Nursing Quarterly General Interest: not applicable |
Business: Advertising Age Psychology: APA Review Criminal Justice: Police Chief Theology: Clergy Review Nursing: Nursing Times General Interest: not applicable |
Business: Business Week Psychology: Parents Criminal Justice: Corrections Today Theology: Christianity Today Nursing: Prevention General Interest: Newsweek, Sports Illustrated, People, National Enquirer, Good Housekeeping, etc. |
Important!
Not everything published in scholarly journals is appropriate for research use.
For example, book reviews, editorial pieces, short news items, etc. do not count as "scholarly articles".
If you are unsure about an article you've found, check with a librarian or your professor.
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