Evaluating Periodicals

Scholarly Journal

Content (Accuracy): Findings written by the researcher(s); very specific information, with the goal of scholarly communication; In-depth accounts of original findings.
Author (Authority): Author's credentials are provided. Author is usually a scholar or specialist in the field.
Audience (Coverage): Students, scholars, and researchers.
Language (Coverage): Specialized terminology of the field; requires expertise in subject area.
Graphics (Coverage): Very few advertisements and photos. Many charts, graphs, tables.
Layout & Organization (Currency): Structured; includes the article abstract, goals, objectives, methodology, results, discussion, and bibliography.
Accountability (Objectivity): Articles evaluated by peer-reviewers who are experts in the field; content, format, and style are edited.
References (Objectivity): Required. Facts and quotes are verifiable.
Paging: Page numbers are consecutive throughout volume.
Other Examples: Annals of Mathematics, JAMA, Almost anything with Journal in the title.

Content (Accuracy): General information intended to entertain or inform; Secondary discussion of someone else's research; may include personal opinion/bias.
Author (Authority): Often, author is a journalist paid to write articles and may or may not be in an expert in the subject.
Audience (Coverage): General Public.
Language (Coverage): General-usage vocabulary; easily understandable to the general public.
Graphics (Coverage): Lots of glossy advertisements and photos; some graphs and charts.
Layout & Organization (Currency): Informal; may include non-standard formatting. May not present supporting evidence or conclusion.
Accountability (Objectivity): Content evaluated by editorial staff, not experts in the field.
References (Objectivity): Rare. Little, if any, information about source materials is given.
Paging: Each issue begins on page 1.
Other Examples: Sports Illustrated, National Geographic, Time, Newsweek.

Content (Accuracy): Practical information for professionals working in the field or industry; Current news, trends, and products in a specific field or industry.
Author (Authority): Author usually a professional in the field, sometimes a journalist with subject expertise.
Audience (Coverage): Professionals in the field.
Language (Coverage): Not as technical as a scholarly journal but terminology is specialized.
Graphics (Coverage): Photos; some graphics; advertisements aimed at professionals in the field.
Layout & Organization (Currency): Informal; articles organized like a newsletter. Evidence drawn from personal experience.
Accountability (Objectivity): Evaluated by editorial staff, not peer-reviewed.
References (Objectivity): Occasional brief bibliographies, but not required.
Paging: Each issue begins on page 1.
Other Examples: PC World, Psychology Today, Architectural Record.

Based on Scholarly vs. Popular Materials by Amy VanScoy, NCSU Library.