Scholarly Journals vs. Popular Magazines: What's the difference?
| SCHOLARLY | POPULAR |
| Bibliographies or list of references are included | Usually DO NOT have bibliographies or lists of references |
| Authors are experts | Authors are often generalists |
| Articles are signed by the authors | Articles are sometimes unsigned |
| Audience is the scholarly reader such as professors, researchers, students | Audience is the general population |
| Standardized formats are usually followed, such as APA, MLA, etc. | Use various formats, which are often unstructured |
| Written in the jargon of the field |
Written for anyone to understand |
| Any illustrations support the text, such as maps, tables, photographs | Often profusely illustrated for marketing appeal |
| Journal may have a serious, somber appearance, with few bright colors | May have a bright, attractive cover, with many glossy pictures |
Created October 2009 and modified from a handout created by the University of Michigan and from a figure published by Kim N. Cook, Lilith R. Kunkel and Susan M. Weaver. "Cooperative Learning in Bibliographic Instruction." Research Strategies" Winter 1995: 17-25.