 Distinguish
Between Popular and Scholarly Periodicals
The compilation of resources for research papers or
projects necessarily includes not only books, but also articles from periodicals
(i.e., journals and/or magazines)—vital sources of
up-to-date information and scholarship. When issuing assignments, instructors
often specify whether articles consulted are to be from popular
or scholarly publications (the former usually referred to as magazines,
the latter as journals). Although popular sources are not without
merit and may also contain well-considered writing, the purpose of distinguishing
between these types of works is to determine their degree of authority
and depth of research on a given topic, and thereby their intrinsic academic
value. The following chart points out the distinctions between popular
and scholarly periodicals.
| POPULAR
|
SCHOLARLY
|
Broad range of topics,
presented in shorter articles |
Specific, often narrowly focused topics
in lengthy, in-depth articles |
Articles offer overview of subject matter; reportage,
rather than original research;
sometimes contain feature articles and
reports on current social issues and
public opinion |
Articles often contain previously
unpublished research and detail
new developments in field |
Intended to attract a general readership without
any particular expertise or advanced education |
Intended for specialist readership of researchers,
academics, students
and professionals |
Written by staff (not always attributed)
or freelance writers using
general, popular language |
Written by specialists and researchers in
subject area, usually employing technical, subject-specific language
and jargon |
Edited and approved for publication
in-house (not peer-reviewed) |
Critically evaluated by peers (fellow scholars)
in field for content, scholarly soundness
and academic value |
Articles rarely contain references or footnotes
and follow no specific format |
Well-researched, documented articles
nearly always follow standard format:
abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, results, conclusion,
bibliography/references |
Designed to attract eye of potential
newsstand customers: usually filled with photographs or illustrations,
printed on glossier paper |
Sober design: mostly text with some tables or
graphs accompanying articles;
usually little or no photography;
negligible, if any, advertising;
rarely printed on high-gloss paper |
| Each issue begins with page number '1' |
Page numbers of issues
within a volume (year)
are usually consecutive (i.e., first page of succeeding issue is number
following
last page number of previous issue) |
Presented to entertain,
promote point of view,
and/or sell products |
Intended to present researchers'
opinions and findings
based on original research |
Examples:
Newsweek
Rolling Stone
Vogue |
Examples:
American Sociological Review
Journal of Popular Culture
Sustainable Agriculture |
Popular periodicals may further be
divided into the following special categories:
Substantive/
general interest |
Trade/
professional |
Sensational |
| Often greater attention paid to cultural, literary
or political matters |
Contain news, trends, developments
and new products in industry or profession |
Principal subjects include celebrity gossip and
'news' stories defying
generally accepted credibility;
often in tabloid newspaper format |
Aimed at more educated
(though non-specialist) audience |
Intended for professionals and experts in field |
Directed toward
lowest-common-denominator audience |
Staff or freelance writers
sometimes have expertise
in subject |
Often written by professionals in field |
Written in elementary, sometimes inflammatory,
language; authorship often unattributed |
| Sources are sometimes cited |
References or footnotes,
if included, are few |
Entirely unsubstantiated |
| Articles often more informative and detailed
than other 'popular' press |
Articles focus on technical and practical aspects
of field |
Appeal to audience's gullibility,
superstitions
and prejudices |
Examples:
The Atlantic Monthly
The Nation
Science News |
Examples:
Advertising Age
New England Journal of Medicine
Publishers Weekly |
Examples:
The National Enquirer
Star
Weekly World News |
Further information on the distinction
between popular and scholarly periodical sources may be found in:
Engle, M. (1999). Distinguishing Scholarly Journals
from Other Periodicals.
Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Library.
Retrieved 10th June 2002 from the World Wide Web:
http://www.library.cornell.edu/okuref/research/skill20.html.
Johnson, W.A., Jr. & al. (1998). The Sociology
Student Writer's Manual.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
(call number REF HM73 S637)
Katz, W.A. (2000). Magazines for Libraries: For
the General Reader and School, Junior College, College, University, and
Public Libraries..
New York: Bowker.
(call number REF DESK Z6941 K2)
LSU (Louisiana State University) Libraries. (1998-2002).
Evaluation of Information Sources: Part 1, Types of Information Sources.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Author.
Retrieved 10th June 2002 from the World Wide Web:
http://www.lib.lsu.edu/instruction/evaluation/evaluation06.html.
The University of Auckland Library. (2004).
LEARN (Library Electronic Academic Resources Network): Academic and Popular Journals.
Auckland, New Zealand: Author.
Retrieved 7th September 2004 from the World Wide Web:
http://www.library.auckland.ac.nz/subjects/bus/topicguides/academic_popularjnls.htm.
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