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Distinguishing Scholarly From Non-Scholarly Periodicals A Checklist of Criteria. Journals and magazines are important sources for up-to-date information in all disciplines. With a periodical collection as large and diverse as UTM's it is often difficult to distinguish the various levels of scholarship found in the collection. In this guide we have divided the criteria for periodical literature into four categories: 1) Scholarly; 2) Substantive News or General Interest: 3) Popular; and 4) Sensational. Most instructors at the University level will demand that all or most of the periodical articles you use in completing a research project come from category 1 or 2. This is especially true for upper-division courses and is absolutely essential in graduate work. To help you distinguish scholarly journals from other periodicals, some characteristics of each type are listed below. Scholarly Substantive News or General Interests Scholarly Journals - may also be referred to as Refereed Journals or Professional Journals - have a sober, serious look. They often contain many graphs and charts but few glossy pages or exciting pictures. These periodicals may be quite attractive in appearance, although some are in newspaper format. Articles are often heavily illustrated, generally with photographs. Scholarly journals always cite their sources in the form of footnotes or bibliographies. News and General interest periodicals sometimes cite sources, though more often do not. Articles are written by a scholar in the field or by someone who has done extensive research in the field. Articles may be written by a member of the editorial staff, a scholar or a free lance writer. If the name is given, there is usually no mention of the individual's credentials. The language of the scholarly journals is that of the discipline covered. It assumes some scholarly background on the part of the reader. The language of the article is geared to any educated audience. There is no specialty assumed, only interest and a certain level of literacy. The main purpose of scholarly journals is to report on original research or experimentation in order to make such information available to the rest of the scholarly world. They are generally published by commercial enterprises or individuals, although some emanate from specific professional organizations. Many scholarly journals, though by no means all, are published by a specific professional organization. The main purpose of periodicals in this category is to provide information, in a general manner, to a broad audience of concerned citizens. Most scholarly journals will have little if any advertising. These titles will often contain many glossy advertisements. Popular Sensational Popular Periodicals come in many formats, although often somewhat slick and attractive appearance. Lots of graphics, photographs, drawings, etc. Sensational periodicals come in a variety of styles, but often use a newspaper format. These publications rarely, if ever, cite sources. Information published in such journals is often second or third hand and the original source is sometimes obscure. Their language is elementary and occasionally inflammatory or sensational. They assume a certain gullibility in their audience. Articles are written by staff members or free-lance writers. The main purpose of sensational magazines seems to be to arouse curiosity and to cater to popular superstitions. They often do so with flashy headlines designed to astonish (e.g. "Half-man Half-woman impregnates Self while in a Drunken Stupor."). The main purpose of popular periodicals is to entertain the reader, to sell products (their own or their advertisers), and/or to promote a viewpoint. Note: Remember this handout provides general guidelines in evaluating the level of scholarship of a specific periodical title. If you are in doubt, don't forget to check with your classroom instructor- his/her evaluation of a specific title will be of value. Examples of Scholarly Journals Examples of Popular Periodicals Journal of Accounting Literature JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association Environment The Journal of Ecology Film Quarterly Parents People Weekly Reader's Digest Sports Illustrated Time Examples of Substantive News or General Interest Periodicals Examples of Sensational Periodicals Economist National Geographic Scientific American Vital Speeches of the Day Christian Science Monitor Globe National Examiner Star Weekly World News IF YOU WANT ASSISTANCE IN FINDING LIBRARY MATERIALS ASK AT THE REFERENCE COUNTER           The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. 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