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Scholarly Journals
- Cite sources in footnotes, references lists or bibliographies
- Articles are written by an expert or researcher in field
- Target audience is fellow researchers or students; language use is that of the discipline covered
- Purpose is to report original research or experimentation
Trade or Professional Journals
- May cite sources but often do not
- Articles written by writers or free-lance journalists with subject expertise
- Target audience is people in a particular trade or profession
- Language use is appropriate to an educated reader
- Published by professional or commercial bodies
- Purpose is to provide information to a wide readership
Popular Magazines
- Seldom cite sources
- Information is frequently second hand and original source often obscure
- Articles are usually short and written by reporters or staff writers
- Target audience is the general public Language used is familiar, plain simple journalistic style
- Purpose is to provide general information and/or entertain