Research Process: A Step-by-Step Approach

Overview Newspaper/Magazine Articles:

• Heavily illustrated with lots of color
• Has advertisements
• Visual cover layouts
• Short titles
• Attention grabbing headlines

Article Overview:

• Main purpose of articles is to get readers to purchase the magazine
• Short in length
• Authors are staff writers with the magazine, rarely specialists on topics
• Language easy-to-read, little technical jargon
• No review process other than editorial review
• No guarantee the information is accurate, unbiased, or appropriate and may be difficult to verify
• Intended for general audience or specific, targeted non-professional groups

Journal Overview

• Title clearly identifies subject matter and often includes the word "journal"
• Cover layout typically the same from issue to issue
• Few advertisements or images
• Pages are typically not glossy with little color
• No headlines

Article Overview:

• Typically lenghty (over 5 pages)
• Covers specific, narrow topics using technical terms and academic language
• Not intended for general public
• Title clearly identifies subject matter and an abstract provides overview of article content
• Includes in-text citation and lists references at the end
• Features little or no color, images support research purposes
• Written by authorities in topic area or field of study (credentials often listed)
• Main purpose is to report original, current research data to individuals in the scholarly and professional arenas (researchers, academics and students).
• Refereed/peer reviewed by experts in the field