Which of the following is NOT typically a characteristic of a scholarly academic journal?

### Why this is right Scholarly journals are written for an academic audience, usually by researchers or specialists who report or analyze research. Journalists writing for the general public is more typical of newspapers or popular magazines, so that description does not fit a scholarly journal. ### The concept A **scholarly academic journal** publishes work for researchers, students, and professionals in a particular field. Its articles are commonly **peer-reviewed**, meaning subject experts assess the work before publication and advise whether it is suitable. Articles usually give formal citations and reference lists so readers can identify and check the sources used. An **International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)** identifies a continuing publication, such as a journal, but it does not prove that the publication is scholarly. | Feature | Scholarly journal | Popular publication | |---|---|---| | Intended readers | Researchers and other academic readers | General public | | Typical writers | Researchers or subject specialists | Journalists or other writers | | Sources | Formal citations and reference lists are common | Citations may be limited or absent | ### The other options - **A. Articles are peer-reviewed by subject-matter experts**: This is a typical scholarly-journal feature. Experts in the relevant subject assess an article before publication. - **C. Issues are identified by an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)**: Journals and other serial publications can have an ISSN. It identifies the publication, not the academic quality of its articles. - **D. Articles include formal citations and reference lists**: This is typical of scholarly writing because it shows where information came from and lets readers trace the sources. ### Watch out An ISSN does not certify that a journal is scholarly. Check who writes the articles, who the intended readers are, and whether the journal uses peer review. ### Terms - **ISSN**: International Standard Serial Number. A number used to identify a continuing publication, such as a journal. - **Peer review**: Assessment of submitted work by experts in the same subject area before it is published. - **Citation**: A reference in an article that identifies the source of an idea, fact, or quotation. - **Reference list**: A list of sources cited in an article, usually given at the end. ### Remember Scholarly journals are aimed at academic readers and commonly use expert review and formal sources; an ISSN alone does not make a publication scholarly.