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Robert Lopresti
January 2004

What is the difference between a
SCHOLARLY JOURNAL and a POPULAR MAGAZINE?


Here are some indicators as to whether a publication is a magazine or a journal. 

When in doubt ASK THE PERSON WHO WILL GRADE YOU. 

"Typical" means just that.  There are plenty of exceptions.

                                                 
Typical of JOURNALS...    Typical of MAGAZINES...
articles chosen by peer referees (experts in the field) articles chosen by editors
longer articles shorter articles
signed articles signed and unsigned articles
articles with footnotes articles without footnotes
articles by experts in the field articles by professional authors
an audience of professionals an audience of laymen
supported by subscriptions  supported by advertisements
published less often published more often
page numbering continues through a whole volume (typically a year) each issue starts with page 1.
authors are not paid authors are paid
often has the word "journal" in the title usually does not have the word "journal" in the title
authors are asked to submit several copies of articles (for referees) authors are only asked to submit one copy of articles (for the editor)

 

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