Distinguishing Peer Reviewed Scholarly Research Journals

(Adapted with permission from Cornell University Library's online tutorial: Research Strategy "Distinguishing Scholarly from non-Scholarly Periodicals" hccp://campusgw.library.cornell.edu/newhelp/newhelp.html)

Scholarly peer reviewed journals

 

Substantive professional and trade publications (including review journals)

Popular magazines

Main Purpose: Present original research or experimentation to the scholarly community. Constitute the primary resources of science research.

Example: instructions to authors page from Canadian journal of forest research

Main Purpose: Provide information; report on developments and trends in various fields or industries.

Example: Scientific American information page.

 

 Main Purpose: Entertainment, sell products of their advertisers, and/or promote a viewpoint

Refereed or peer-reviewed: a panel of experts evaluates the article prior to publication for scientific content and procedure.

Example: instructions to authors page, or publishing policy Canadian journal of forest research.

Not peer-reviewed

 

 not peer-reviewed

Articles are written by a scholar or researcher in the field

Example: selected article from Canadian journal of forest research

Articles may be written by a scholar/researcher, but also journalists, free-lance writers, editorial staff, extension staff

Example: selected article from Scientific American

 Articles written by staff members or free-lance writers.

Generally have a sober, serious look. Articles in the sciences (and many times the social science) follow the formal scientific format: i.e., abstract, introduction, methods, results, conclusion, references.

Examples:
Canadian journal of forest research

Social Science and Medicine

 

May be quite attractive, but some may be in newpaper format. Articles often have many illustrations, photographs. Sometimes follow scientific format.

Example: select an article from Scientific American

 Come in many formats, but are usually glossy, colorful, with flashy covers and photos.

The language is that of the discipline; assumes scholarly background on the part of the reader

Examples:
Canadian journal of forest research

Social Science and Medicine

The language is geared to any educated audience member, although a certain level of interest and intelligence is assumed

Example: selected article from Scientific American or from Agricultural Research Magazine

 Articles usually very short, written in simple language, and designed to meet a minimal education level

Sources always referenced in footnotes and/or bibliographies

Examples:
Canadian journal of forest research

Social Science and Medicine

Sources sometimes referenced, but many times are not. Note: Some may be almost completely composed of references!

Example: selected article from Scientific American

 Rarely reference sources: information is often second or third-hand; original source sometimes obscure

Usually published by scholarly societies, or research oriented commercial publishers

Example: National Research Council

Example: click "about us" on the Elsevier Science publicatons site.

Generally published by commercial enterprises, individuals, professional organizations including state Extension Publications.

Example: home page for Scientific American or Agricultural Researach Magazine

 

 Published by popular press publishers.
Subscription is usually necessary (sometimes a VERY expensive subscription ) or charges per article. Many times articles are available for free. If subscription is necessary, the cost is usually minimal. May be available online, many times artles are available for free.

More Examples

 

Page Content: Kathie Richardson