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Physics and Astronomy: Finding Scholarly Sources

A general guide for physics and astronomy research.

Scholarly Journal Articles Compared to Magazines

Use the chart below to help you distinguish between scholarly journal articles and popular magazines.

 

SCHOLARLY JOURNALS

MAGAZINES

NOTES 

Includes notes and/or bibliography

Few references or no bibliography

AUDIENCE 

Written for experts, shows research

Written for average reader

PAGE LENGTH 

Usually more than 5 pages

Often less than 5 pages

ADS 

Few or none; if any, advertising books and other "scholarly" items

Many, often in color

LOOK 

Mostly text and charts

Glossy, many pictures often in color

LOCATION 

Usually only available through a library (often via a library's website)

Title can be found at newsstand or through a bookstore

EXAMPLE TITLES

New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of Modern History 

Newsweek, Maxim, Time, Good Housekeeping

See also our Differences Between Scholarly Journals & Popular Magazines guide (PDF format).

Identifying Scholarly Information Module

This video examines scholarly information and its importance for college-level assignments. The module defines peer‑reviewed information and provides tips to differentiate scholarly journal articles from popular magazines and newspapers.  

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