Frequently Asked Questions
- Question
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What is a journal?
Alternate Question(s):
• What is a magazine?
• How can I tell the difference between a journal and a magazine? - Answer
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What is a journal?
A journal is a publication that contains articles focused on a specific topic or discipline of study. Articles in journals are usually published by academic publishers or by scholarly or professional societies and organizations.
The intended audience is made up of specialists in professions and academic disciplines, teachers, researchers, and students learning research in their academic fields. Journals are often subscribed to by individual scholars or by college and university libraries.
Articles in these types of publications receive what is called in the academic world "peer review." Prior to acceptance for publication, all manuscripts of proposed articles are reviewed by scholars in the field to judge scholarly merit, research value, and accuracy. Scholarly articles normally indicate the credentials of the author, explain the methodology used in the research, and list footnotes or references to document the source material used in writing the article.
What is a Magazine?
A magazine is a periodical that usually contains an assorted collection of articles, fiction, recipes, and images. Magazines are typically directed at a general reading audience (public). Magazines are often published on a weekly or monthly basis. Some examples of popular magazines are:
- Time
- Newsweek
- People
- Sports Illustrated
- Wired
- Southern Living
How can I tell the difference between a journal and a magazine?
This table offers some clues on how to tell if you are reading a journal or a magazine.
Is it a Scholarly Journal or a Magazine?
Scholarly Journals Magazines Trade Journals Written for Professors and students General public Workers in a specific industry Written by Scholars Professional writers Professional writers and industry experts Looks like Serious and sober with few colors Glossy with advertisements Glossy with industry specific advertisements Articles Include author's name and author's credentials
Are written in technical and scholarly language
Report on research and scholarship
Are usually at least 10 pages in length
Contain footnotes and references to other journal articles
May be reviewed by an editorial board
Do not always include an author name
Are written in relatively simple language
Report on current topics and events
Are usually under 10 pages in length
Do not always include an author name
Include technical language specific to the industry
Report on industry trends and news
Are usually under 10 pages in length
Examples New England Journal of Medicine Newsweek Advertising Age *Table attributed to VCU Libraries.
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Keywords: journal magazine publication articles article periodical peer-reviewed refereed
Last Updated: 07/10/07 8:37 am