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COM 310 - Relational Communication

Relational Communication explores communication issues in the development of personal relationships. Current topics concerning communication in friendship, romantic, and work relationships.

Publication comparison chart

  Scholarly Journals Trade Publications General Interest Magazines Newspapers Popular Magazines  Sensational Magazines
Purpose To show and discuss original research and experimentation. Provides practical information to working professionals, showcasing leaders/trends.  Provides topic-specific information to a general, educated audience.  Provides current news and special features, including travel and book reviews.  Provides information to a general audience, often with a topic-specific focus, such as sports.  Carries little authority; intends to shock readers. 
Use  Often required for a course project and research. Lends credibility to your ideas and hypotheses.  Helpful in doing an analysis of a particular industry, applying for a job, or preparing for an interview.  Suitable for identifying potential topics for a research project, as well as identifying current or hot issues.  Helpful in identifying potential topics and gaining a snapshot of key issues at the time of publication.  Valuable for understanding cultural norms, trends, and events as they were perceived at the time of publication. Only useful if the research project is related to this form of publishing and writing.
Authors Written by and for scholars or researchers in a specific discipline. Specialists or practitioners in a particular field or industry. The magazine's staff, a field expert, or a freelance writer/journalist. Staff reporters and columnists. Staff columnists.  Staff writers. 
Sources / Citations Always cited as footnotes, endnotes, or reference lists (bibliographies). Sources are mentioned within an article but rarely formally cited. Sources are mentioned within an article and occasionally cited formally. If used, sources are mentioned in an article but not formally cited. If used, sources are mentioned in an article but not formally cited. Rarely any mention of specific sources.
Language Uses discipline-specific terminology, jargon, and language. Uses jargon specific to a particular field or industry. Uses formal language and some discipline-specific jargon. Uses general, everyday language. Uses general, everyday language. Inflammatory and sensational style, yet simple language.
Review Process Goes through a strict review process by peers. Minimal review by editorial staff and rarely by peers. Minimal review by editorial staff. Reviewed by editorial staff. Minimal review by editorial staff. Minimal review, if any.
Audience Reader is assumed to have a similar scholarly background. Written for practicing professionals. Written for a broad, educated readership. For a broad audience. For a broad audience. For a broad audience.
Graphics Contains graphs, charts, and photographs specific to the research, but seldom graphic art. Illustrations include charts, graphs, photographs, and relevant graphic art. Photographs, illustrations, and graphs are used to enhance the overall presentation of the publication. Some images when relevant to a story. Photographs and images are used heavily. Photographs and images are used heavily, though often altered.
Publishers Most often published by a professional organization or specialty publishing company. Often published by professional organizations relevant to a particular field or industry. Generally published by commercial enterprises for profit. Generally published by commercial enterprises for profit. Published by commercial enterprises for profit. Published by commercial enterprises for profit. Published by commercial enterprises for profit.
Advertising Generally contains minimal or no targeted advertising. Advertising is relevant to the profession or industry in which it is used. Advertising appeals to a broad readership. Advertising appeals to a broad readership. Significant amounts and appeals to a broad audience. Advertising often reflects the style of the publication.
Examples Behavioral Neuroscience, Journal of Economics American Grocer, Aviation Week Psychology Today, Scientific American Chicago Tribune, Wall Street Journal Vogue, Sports Illustrated National Enquirer, Star

Source: Instruction and Student Engagement Department, Milner Library, Illinois State University 

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