Trade / Professional
A trade publication is somewhere between a scholarly journal and a popular magazine. Articles in trade journals are written by and for people working in a certain field or discipline, for example, grocers, nurses, teachers, or business administrators. Article authors typically have some specialized knowledge, but are not scholars.
Articles in trade publications are often easier to understand than articles in scholarly journals but are focused towards a specific group of people resulting in some use of professional terminology. Like articles in popular magazines, articles in trade journals are usually reviewed by professional editors.
- Types of Articles Comparison ChartCompare differences between scholarly, trade, popular, and news articles.
Characteristics of Trade / Professional Articles
What is the purpose?
Provides news and trends in a field, but not original research; showcases leaders in the field
Why use them?
Stay up-to-date on trends, breakthroughs, and mover-&-shakers within a field; useful for job hunting or interviewing
Who is it for?
Written for practicing professionals in almost any field or industry
Who writes the article?
Written by industry professionals and experts
Who reviews the article?
While reviewed by editorial staff, they are rarely peer-reviwed
What type of language or writing is used?
Uses jargon or terminology specific to the field or industry
Are other sources used and cited?
Sources are often mentioned within an article but not typically formated as a bibliography or footnotes
Are images and advertising included?
Illustrations, charts, graphs, photographs and sometimes graphic art that is relevant to article; advertising aimed specifically to profession or industry
How often are issues of articles published?
Varies greatly and can range from daily to weekly to monthly