Journals

Magazines

General Characteristics

And Purpose

• Articles written by an expert in the field (researcher or professor) for specialists
• Articles report on a narrow, or specialized research topic

• Report on original research, such as experiments, or primary sources such as letters, newspapers, archive or libraries of information
• Trade Journals cover topics and focus on a specific industry, organization or business

• Articles are written by journalists or employees of an industry or trade organization
• Cover current events, general interest topics to a wide readership
• Often represent the point of view or a particular group
• Marketed to a specific demographic: teenagers, women, collectors, etc.

Format

The "AIMRAD" format in the Sciences and Social Sciences:

• Abstract
• Introduction & literature review
• Materials and Methods
• Results and Discussion
• Illustrations are generally charts and graphs

Humanities:

• Abstract (but not always)
• Credentials of the Author (degrees, institution, affiliations)
• Footnotes, Endnotes, Bibliography, Sources (Cited research)
• Reviews of Scholarly books

Newspaper and Reporting format:

• Who, What, Where, When, Why
• Eye-catching format to attract a particular market
• Advertising is a prominent aspect of publication

Audience

• Scholars, Researchers, Students, "Learned Communities"
• Trade : Employees of an industry or trade

• General Public
• Broad interest groups: Men, Women, Working Parents, etc.

Documentation

• Sources are cited in a bibliography, source or reference list, endnotes or footnotes

• Sources or information are sometimes cited for news articles, but not in detail.