For most of your assignments, your instructor may require you to locate information in scholarly research journals (these are sometimes referred to as peer-reviewed journals, or academic journals) How can you easily know the differences between a scholarly journal and a popular magazine?  This basic evaluation is a necessary part of the research process, and a means for you to sharpen your critical thinking skills. 

Some of the ways that a research journal typically differs from a popular magazine are:

AUTHORITY
Scholarly journal articles will indicate authors and their academic credentials; popular magazines may not always list the author.

CITATION
Scholarly journal articles will include footnotes, endnotes, bibliographies, or reference lists; popular magazine articles very rarely do this.

CONTENT
Scholarly journal articles focus on research; popular magazines focus on current events & topics of general interest, and include lots of ads for consumer products.

PEER REVIEW
Scholarly journal articles are reviewed and fully critiqued by subject experts for research accuracy & importance before being published; popular magazines are not as rigorous.

POINT OF SALE
Where you find publications for sale is a clue.  It may be difficult to locate scholarly journals at all outside of research libraries; popular magazines are usually much easier to find.

PUBLICATION
FREQUENCY
Scholarly journals are usually published two or four times a year; popular magazines may be published daily, weekly, or monthly.

Newsweek (Popular Magazine)       

*Purpose: To entertain, market, or promote a viewpoint                              

• Articles are written by staff or journalists, not practicing experts    
• Articles are not peer reviewed
• Reading level is basic
• Articles are shorter on average
• There are advertisements and glossy color photos.
• Lacks references or works cited lists

 The Historian (Scholarly Journal)

*Purpose: To contribute to the evolving body of knowledge within an academic discipline

• Articles are written by experts who have credentials
• Articles are peer reviewed
• Reading level is advanced
• Longer more structured articles
• Has a list of references, citations or bibliography at the end of each article

Click on the links below for Articles 1 and 2.  Take a look at each of the articles.  Use the tips above to evaluate each article.  Which one is the scholarly article?  Or the article that would be most appropriate for a research project? 

Cast your vote.