MAGAZINES

V.

JOURNALS

Library Homepage:  http://www.msubillings.edu/library

CRITERIA

MAGAZINES

JOURNALS

Level

Popular, "easy reading"

Scholarly, technical, research-based

References

None

Yes—good bibliographies and/or footnotes

Advertisements

Lots, general products, foods, household goods, etc.

None or only special products aimed at professional users

Audience

Lay people, "regular folks"

Scholars, students of the field

Publishers

For-profit corporations

Learned societies, professional associations, governmental organizations, educational institutions, others interested in furthering knowledge

Inclusion

Single editor or board judging piece on interest, style, readability, and conformity to the magazine's purpose

Editorial board of fellow scholars reviewing the work for validity, reliability, contribution

Visuals

People, places, general illustrations, a few graphs, tables, etc.

Generally fewer visuals; when included tend to be tables, graphs, charts

Appearance

Glossy, "snazzy," colorful, good-looking

Good paper, high-quality production

Pagination

Starts with page 1 each issue

Continuous through volume (usually)

CAUTION:  The word "journal" or lack thereof does not necessarily indicate whether or not an item is a journal.  Example:  Ladies Home Journal is a magazine, not a journal.  For further information about magazines and journals, consult Ulrich's Periodical Directory (REF Z6941.U5) or Magazines for Libraries (REF Z6941.M23).  OR, ask a Librarian.