When conducting research you may be instructed only to use "academic," "scholarly" or "peer reviewed" journals. But what does that mean? In fact, you may find three main types of articles in a database if you look. What are the differences between them? Academic Journal articles are typically referred to as scholarly and are written for professors, students and researchers. Magazine articles are frequently called popular materials and are written for the interests of the general public. A third category, trade magazines/journals, are written for professionals in a particular field but are not strictly research related. Below are some examples of the differences additional criteria to consider to help you differentiate between scholarly journals and popular and trade magazines.
| Criteria | Academic or Scholarly Journal | Popular Magazine | Trade Magazine/Journal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sample Cover |  |
 |
 |
| Audience | Academics and professionals only | General public | People in the business (Note the $100 bills in the sandwich above!) |
| Authors | Experts or specialists (PhD). Unpaid. | Journalists, staff writers, or freelance writers. Paid. | Staff writers, industry specialists, or vendor representatives. Paid. (In the case of vendor reps. it may be outright advertising). |
| References | Almost always | Rarely | Sometimes |
| Article Types | Scholarly | Popular | Trade (Business) |
| Example Article Title |
"Optimization of the production of shrimp |
"In search of the perfect meatball" | "UCLA hospitals go to antibiotic-free meats" |
| Price | $436/year (6 issues) | $15/year (12 issues) | $80/year (12 issues) |