A guide to Magazines, Trade Journals, and Scholarly Journals

Scholarly Journals

• Report original research; reflect an objective approach
• References, footnotes, and sources are always included
• Considered primary sources in the sciences
• Topics are very narrow and written for specialists

Magazines

• Driven by marketing concerns
• Written by journalists for the non-expert
• Often represent a point of view; reflect a subjective approach
• Good sources for immediate events, such as the Ebola health crisis

Trade Publications

• Cover topics that address business concerns or focus on a specific industry
• Report to employees of an industry or trade
• Highlight topics such as Green Initiatives, Eco-Tourism, or response to governmental regulation