| Scholarly Journals | Popular Journals | Trade Journals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Informs and reports on original research done by scholars and experts in the field. Published by professional organizations, university presses, and research institutes. | Entertains and informs a general audience without providing in-depth analysis. Published by commercial presses. | Reports on industry trends and new products or techniques useful to people in a trade or business. Published by commercial presses or industry associations. |
| Authors | Articles are written by subject specialists and experts in the field. Reviewed by experts (peer review) not employed by the journal. | Articles are written by journalists, freelance writers, or an editorial staff. No peer-review process. | Articles are written by specialists in a certain field or industry as well as journalists. No peer-review process. |
| Audience | Intended for a limited audience - researchers, scholars, and experts. | Intended for a broad segment of the population, appealing to non-specialists. | Intended for practititioners in a particular profession, business, or industry. |
| Examples |
Journal of Biochemistry American Sociological Review Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly |
U.S. News and World Report Reader's Digest Rolling Stone |
Broadcasting & Cable Advertising Age AutoWeek |
