| Authors: |
Experts such as academics, researchers and scientists |
Generalists, including bloggers, staff writers, and journalists; not always attributed |
Authors tend be identified; likely industry professionals or experts |
| Examples: |
Academy of Management Journal, American Psychologist, Gender and Society, books from presses such as Wiley and Sage |
Wikipedia, news.com.au, abc.net.au, theaustralian.com.au, bestselling books; books from popular publishers like Penguin and Random House |
Money Marketing, Investment Week, Law Practice Magazine, Adweek |
| Focus: |
Specific and in-depth |
Broad overviews |
Industry specific |
| Language: |
Dense; uses academic jargon |
Easier to read; defines specialized terms |
May use subject or industry specific terminology |
| Format: |
Almost always include: abstracts, literature reviews, methodologies, results, and conclusions |
Varies |
Short articles and opinion pieces |
| Citations: |
Include bibliographies, citations, and footnotes that follow a particular academic style guide |
No formal citations included; may or may not informally attribute sources in text |
May or may not attribute sources in text |
| Before publication: |
Evaluated by peers (other scholars) |
Edited by in-house editors or not edited at all |
Edited/reviewed by industry editors |
| Audience: |
Specialists in the subject area: students, professors and the author's peers |
General readers; shouldn't require any special background |
Industry professionals |
| Design: |
Mostly text, with some tables and charts; very little photography; no advertising |
Glossy images, attractive design; photo illustrations and advertising are more common |
Usually includes industry specific advertising, photos |
| Purpose: |
Communicating research findings; education |
Entertainment; news |
To inform on current or emerging industry issues |
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