Skip to main content
It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results.

Side-by-Side Comparison
CHARACTERISTICS |
Scholarly |
Trade |
Popular |
Comparison |
 |
 |
 |
Purpose |
To report results of original research and experimentation |
To report industry/trade trends, products, and news |
To report current events, opinions, and general information |
Look |
Plain, serious, lengthy articles, may contain charts and graphs to support findings |
Glossy, commercial, contains color illustrations/photos, and industry/trade related advertisements |
Glossy, attractive, contains color illustrations/photos, and everyday product advertisements |
Author |
Scholars and experts in field of study/discipline |
Industry specialists or staff writers |
Journalists/reporters, staff or freelance writers |
Audience |
Scholars in academic and discipline related fields, researchers, students |
Members or those with interest in a particular industry or trade |
Anyone |
Language |
Academic and technical |
Jargon of the industry |
Non-technical, written in a language for anyone to understand |
Documentation |
Heavily cited with footnotes or bibliography |
Occasionally contain cited sources in the form of footnotes or bibliographies |
Sources are rarely cited, although references may be mentioned in text |