Research requirements for university courses vary. Some courses require students to read only academic journals. Other courses focus on topics that benefit from exposure to magazines. Either way, it is in your best interest to have a firm grasp on what constitutes a journal and what constitutes a magazine. When in doubt, refer to the table below for guidance.
Attributes |
Journals |
Magazines |
|
Authors |
Experts in their field |
Usually journalists or freelance writers |
|
Content of articles |
In-depth research or analysis |
General; reports, opinions, commentaries on people, events, issues |
|
Documentation |
Sources cited in notes and/or bibliographies |
Sources referred to in text but rarely cited in notes or bibliography |
|
Audience |
Scholars, professionals, students in the field |
General, anyone interested in the subject |
|
Publisher |
Usually professional associations or other non-profit agencies |
Commercial; for profit |
|
Advertising |
Selective if any; related to field |
All types of products and services |
|
Examples: |
Communication Monographs,Human Communication Research, Quarterly Journal of Speech |
Business Week, Forbes, Newsweek, Time, Utne Reader |
*** Information on this page was adapted from the Oregon State University Libraries Information Bulletin "Is this a journal?".