JOURNALS AND MAGAZINES, Part 1 What is a Journal? What is a Magazine?

A JOURNAL is a periodical that only MAGAZINES are the periodicals that most publishes articles after they have passed a people are familiar with, and are often called rigorous editing and review process, called consumer, popular, or mass market the blind review or peer review. periodicals. These are the periodicals you see at the supermarket, the drugstore, or the Journals following this procedure are also known as refereed or sometimes vetted newsstand. Many people subscribe to journals. Articles under consideration have magazines. Magazines are useful for news and trends, for information that is very current and the authors name removed and are submitted to other experts in that subject up to date. Magazines also will often report on the findings of researchers and scientists, field, who evaluate the content, accuracy, and importance of the article, and provide which were originally published in journals, but their criticisms and comments. If the article the articles in the magazines will be much passes the review, it is returned to the easier to read. Magazines are often fairly inexpensive, and many are considered a form author for revisions, after which it may be of entertainment rather than a source of published. Journals may also be called information. academic journals, scholarly journals, research journals, or scholarly research journals. CITATIONS All JOURNAL articles provide citations to Most MAGAZINE articles do not provide the sources of information the author used citations to their sources of information. Articles as a basis for research and to write the may refer to the original researcher by name, or article. Citations may appear as footnotes may only indicate where the research was or at the end of the article as done. For example, the article may state, Bibliography, Works Cited, or Researchers at Johns Hopkins have found References. that LENGTH Most JOURNAL articles are lengthy, and Most MAGAZINE articles are short, and the assume a certain degree of knowledge on language is usually simple to understand. As a the part of the reader. Specialized general rule, magazine articles are written to terminology may be used. Statistical tests accommodate a sixth to ninth grade reading used will not be explained; only their level. Most articles are continued through significance and conclusions drawn from several pages, to give the reader more the tests will be discussed. exposure to the advertisements. AUTHORS Most JOURNALS will provide a sidebar or In MAGAZINE articles, many times the authors footnote, or a separate section, with name is not given. If the author is listed, usually information about the authors credentials the author is a journalist, not a scholar or as a scholar, researcher, or professional. researcher. However, many journalists Or, the authors university or research specialize in certain subjects and are quite institute is given. knowledgeable. SPONSOR Most JOURNALS are published by, or Most MAGAZINES are published by for-profit sponsored by, a university, research lab, organizations or businesses. Many magazine professional association, or a non-profit publishers are part of large media corporations. organization.

JOURNALS AND MAGAZINES, Part 2 EDITORS Most JOURNALS will have a section near Editors of MAGAZINES are comparable to the front or the back of each issue that lists business managers. Each magazine will have their editorial board and the reviewers, its own standards for grammar, usage, and with the professional affiliation of each spelling. Selection of articles to publish is member. Many will also include influenced by fads, trends, or by the major submission guidelines, which will indicate advertisers to the magazine. how rigorous the review process is. ADVERTISEMENTS Generally, JOURNALS do not accept All MAGAZINES accept advertisements. This is advertisements. Revenue to support how they make a profit and stay in business. publication is from the SPONSOR, and Many times it may be difficult to distinguish the from subscription fees. Journals are often ads from the articles. Also, many magazines very expensive. If there are have special theme issues, and they will notify advertisements, they will usually be for advertisers in advance. So, you may often other scholarly publications, or for notice that the ads and the articles seem to conference announcements. agree. TITLE OF THE PERIODICAL Some may have the word journal, Titles of MAGAZINES are selected to be review, bulletin, or research in their attention getting. Many magazines are famous, title. However, this is the least reliable way or have a known reputation or notoriety. to determine if the periodical is a research journal or not. BIAS Most JOURNALS are careful to avoid bias. Many MAGAZINES are known for their social or However, be aware that some non-profit political bias. If you are not familiar with the organizations or think tanks have explicit magazine, read the articles critically. Look for political or social agendas, which may be alternative views in other magazines or in reflected in the articles published. journals. AUDIENCE JOURNALS are read by students, MAGAZINES are read by everyone: workers, professionals, scholars, instructors and householders, students, children, hobbyists, faculty, and other researchers. Within each sports enthusiasts, etc. There is a magazine for profession or subject field, there is usually almost every possible human interest. a group of core journals considered essential reading by all those in the profession or field of study.
WHAT ABOUT NEWSPAPERS? WHAT ABOUT the INTERNET?

NEWSPAPER articles tend to be short and report one fact, event, or recent change. A few major newspapers may offer more in-depth reporting. Some are known for their bias. Read newspaper articles about political or social issues carefully and critically. Editorials are solely the editors opinion, but can be helpful for finding pro/con arguments.
Ruth Moon, Librarian

INTERNET sources can be here today gone tomorrow. Many sites are an expression of personal bias, an excuse to advertise a product, or just plain phony. The criteria listed here can be used to judge the worth of a website. Who is the target audience, how long are the articles, are there citations to sources? Are there any ads? Look for the date, the author, editor, or sponsor.
Journals&Magazines.doc

9/5/06