Types of Journals

Scholarly Journals

Also known as academic, refereed, or peer-reviewed journals.

Author/Authority: Articles written by researchers or scholars in the field who report the results of original research. Other scholars evaluate the research before publication to assure its accuracy, called "peer-review."

Appearance: Generally have a sober, serious look. May contain graphs and charts, but few glossy pages or photographs. Use scholarly language with vocabulary specific to their profession or field.

Audience: Written for academics and professionals.

Citations: Articles include footnotes and a list of citations at the end of the article.

Content: Includes scholarly research for a particular profession or industry.

Frequency: Usually published bimonthly or quarterly.

Examples:

Appearance: Generally attractive and illustrated with color photographs.

Audience: Written for the general public.

Author/Authority: Articles written by staff or freelance writer.

Content: Includes current events and special features.

Frequency: Usually published weekly or monthly.

Examples:

• Sagar, K. A., & Gruber, S. A. (2018). Marijuana matters: reviewing the impact of marijuana on cognition, brain structure and function, & exploring policy implications and barriers to research. International Review of Psychiatry, 30(3), 251–267.

• Young Adults Riding with Impaired Drivers. (2019). USA Today Magazine, 147(2888), 8. In Academic Search Complete.

• Mitchell, S. (2020, December 26). No big impact seen via Illinois; Legal marijuana. Wisconsin State Journal. In Nexis Uni.

• Marijuana Business Daily. (2019, May 9). Medical marijuana retail sales for the U.S. from 2018 to 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars) [Graph]. In Statista.

Used with permission of Harris Learning Library (3:51 length). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6DI7ZiGkVQ&feature=youtu.be.

Trade Journals

Also known as industry magazines.

Appearance: Generally attractive and are often illustrated with color photographs.

Audience: Written for industry professionals.

Author/Authority: Articles written by staff writers, may sometimes accept articles from industry professionals. Not peer-reviewed.

Citations: Occasionally list references at the end of the article or provide footnotes within the text.

Content: Include current events, trends, and news within a particular profession or industry.

Frequency: Usually published biweekly or monthly.

Examples:

News/Newspapers

Appearance: Generally printed on newsprint in black ink.

Audience: Written for the general public.

Author/Authority: Articles written by staff writers and freelance journalists.

Citations: Will sometimes cite sources, a scholar, or a freelance writer.

Content: Includes current events and special features.

Frequency: Usually published daily or weekly.

Examples:

Used with permission of Kishwaukee College Library (5:10 length).  Retrieved from https://youtu.be/EEVftUdfKtQ.