Industry (or trade) publications are magazines or newspapers written for people who work in a particular trade or industry. The goal of these publications is to keep members of the industry up to date with the newest practices, methods, technology, and other relevant information.
Industry publications often look more like popular magazines, with colourful pictures and ads. Articles may contain graphs and charts. The ads are usually related to the industry. In contrast, peer-reviewed journals generally have a basic, serious look and often contain many graphs and charts, but no ads and few colourful pictures. The purposes of peer-reviewed journals are to disseminate findings of original research studies and to advance knowledge in a discipline or specific field of study.
| Characteristics | Industry Publications | Peer-Reviewed Journals |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Keep readers up to date with industry trends and developments | Present research findings and expand knowledge in a discipline or specific field of study |
| Intended Audience | Industry members, professionals | Scholars, researchers, scientists, students |
| Author | Journalist often with expertise in the field, staff writer | Scholar/researcher in the field with stated credentials and affiliations |
| Content | Practical information relevant to a specific industry, e.g., news, latest trends and practices, issues, and new products | Articles that present original research studies |
| Language | Straightforward, with mix of jargon and technical terminology | Complex; follow academic writing style; include discipline-specific jargon or technical terms |
| Structure of Articles | A few paragraphs to a few pages long; no specific format or structure; no original research | Lengthy (10+ pages) articles containing distinct sections, such as abstract, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion |
| Illustrations | Colourful graphics and photos for emphasis | Complex tables or graphs to display research data |
| Advertisements | Frequent, targeting a specific trade or industry | None, or limited to books, other journals, and professional meetings |
| References | No formal citations; may refer to reports; may include a few references | All sources cited; extensive list of references |
| Editorial Process | Reviewed by a single editor | Blind peer-reviewed by multiple experts in the field |
