Academic journal is a periodical dedicated to the dissemination of original research and commentary on current developments in a specific discipline, subdiscipline, or field of study usually published in quarterly, bimonthly, or monthly issues sold by subscription (Reitz, 2007). New popular publications are contrary to academic journal, although it is also a type of periodicals, but they cover current news or stories written by the journalist or less expert in that particular field with the purpose of providing information on certain topics or issues. To begin with, if seen from the above definition, it can be said that both these two types of publication are different from each other in its purpose and characteristics. It might even have some similarity in some aspect. To examine and explain the similarities and differences of these two different types of publications, I choose two materials as an example of publications on the same topic involving foodborne illnesses or also known as food poisoning. The example of a popular news publication is titled “dealing with food poisoning” and an academic article is titled “foodborne virus.” The Similarities Between an Academic Journal and a Popular News Publication First, they start with the similarities of the publications. The similarity of these two types of publication lies in the topics covered. Both materials deal with the topic of food-borne illnesses. The topic of both articles is foodborne illnesses, however the scope is different. The popular news publication covers general information and does not contain many subtopics about what foodborne or food poisoning actually is. The author provides a clear definition of food origin and then describes… the middle of the article… between an academic journal and a popular news publication. The similar aspects between the two resources are the topic covered and the type of publication. Differences between academic journal and popular news publication include authorship, information content, audience and target group, purposes, format and structure, language, length, visual presentation style, publishers and bibliographies. Works CitedDiong, Swee Hoon. (2005, May 29). Dealing with food poisoning. The star online. Retrieved January 19, 2011, from http://thestar.com.my/health/story.asp?file=/2005/5/29/health/11049056&%3Bsec=healthKoopmans, M., Von Bonsdorff, C., Vinje, J. & De Medic, D. (2002). Foodborne viruses. FEMS Microbiology Reviews,26(2), 187-205.Reitz, J. (2007). Dictionary of library and information science. California: Libraries Unlimited.