Types of Periodicals

Different types of publications have different purposes and different audiences. When we talk about journals/magazines,
we can usually divide these publications into three broad categories: scholarly journals, popular magazines, and trade publications.

Scholarly Journals

• Authors are authorities in their fields.
• Authors cite their sources in endnotes, footnotes, or bibliographies. 
• Individual issues have little or no advertising. 
• Articles must go through a peer-review or refereed process. 
• Articles are usually reports on scholarly research. 
• Illustrations usually take the form of charts and graphs. 
• Articles use jargon of the discipline. 

Trade Publications

• Authors are specialists in a certain field or industry.
• Authors often mention sources, but rarely formally cite them in bibliographies.
• Intended audience includes people in the industry or people seeking employment in the industry.
• There is no peer review process.
• Articles give practical information to people in an industry.
• Some illustrations are included, usually charts, graphs, etc.
• Authors use jargon of the industry.

Popular Magazines and Newpapers

• Authors are magazine staff members or free lance writers. 
• Authors often mention sources, but rarely formally cite them in bibliographies. 
• Individual issues contain numerous advertisements. 
• There is no peer review process. 
• Articles are meant to inform and entertain. 
• Illustrations may be numerous and colorful. 
• Language is geared to the general adult audience (no specialized knowledge of jargon needed).

Examples of the four major categories of periodicals:

Adapted with permission from University Library. California State University Northridge. Scholarly Journals, Popular Magazines,
and Trade Publications.

Comments and suggestions to Barbara Quintiliano, Instructional Design Librarian