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Scholarly
information is intended to communicate research findings and
stimulate discussion among academic professionals and students.
Scholarly sources strive to be authoritative, accurate, and detailed,
and they document the sources of the ideas they contain.
Popular information
is intended to inform and entertain a more general readership. Popular
sources attempt to attract readers by eye-catching covers and illustrations,
exciting headlines and high-interest topics, and straightforward,
non-technical language.
Both types of
information are valuable, but professors often expect students to
confine their research to scholarly publications. There is no strict
dividing line, so the challenge for the student is
How
can you tell which publications are scholarly?
|
Clue
|
Scholarly
Journal
|
Popular
Magazine
|
|
Audience
|
Experts
in the field (researchers, professors) and students
|
General
public |
|
Authors
|
Experts
on the subject |
Magazine
staff or freelance journalists who are professional writers
but not necessarily experts on the subject |
|
Publishing
decisions
|
Made
by editorial board of outside experts and by peer
review |
Made
by editor employed by magazine owners |
| Content |
Original
research |
Popularization
or reporting of ideas originating elsewhere |
| Writing
style |
Articles
lengthy; language can be complex or technical |
Articles
short; language geared toward average reader |
| Documentation |
Author's
name always included; notes and bibliography provided as supporting
evidence and for further reading |
Articles
may be unsigned; notes and bibliography seldom provided |
| Exterior
appearance |
Plain
and sober |
Colorful,
eye-catching; glossy paper |
| Interior
appearance |
Mostly
text with few illustrations |
Many
photographs and other illustrations |
| Advertisements |
Few
in number; usually feature specialized publications and conferences |
Many
in number; usually feature consumer products |
| Page
numbering |
Numbered
consecutively through a year's worth of issues |
Each
issue begins with page 1 |
| Availability |
Available
by subscription only |
Available
by subscription but also in bookstores and newsstands |
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