Types of Journals

Journals, magazines and newspapers are often referred to as periodicals or serials because they are published on a regular (daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly) basis. These publications are great sources of current, up-to-date information.

Periodicals are available in electronic and print form. If the Library subscribes to a journal, magazine or newspaper, it is listed by title and subject in the Library Catalogue.

There are different types of periodicals, each with particular purposes and uses. For instance:

  • Research papers or presentations may require that you use scholarly journals
  • Current event and popular culture coverage is provided by popular magazines and newspapers
  • Trade magazines report on trends, personalities and events within a specific industry or profession

The following chart outlines the general characteristics of these different periodicals.

  Scholarly and Research Journals Professional, Trade & Industry Journals Popular and News Magazines Newspapers

Examples

Journal of Communication Management
Canadian Medical Association Journal
Chemical Engineering Journal
ACM Computing Surveys

PC World
Medical Post
Marketing
Aviation Week& Space Technology

Macleans
Time
Chatelaine
Sports Illustrated
National Geographic
Consumer Reports

Calgary Herald
Calgary Sun
Globe and Mail
National Post

Value & Uses

Reports on original research;
In-depth analysis of topics; Lengthy articles; Statistical information;
Academic level book reviews;
Refereed or peer-reviewed

Current trends, news & products in a field;
Practical industry information;
Company, organization & biographical news, Career information;
Book & product reviews

Current events and news;
Hot topics;
Brief, factual information; Short articles;
Interviews

News stories; Current information; Local & regional focus;
Analysis & opinion of current events;
Classified ads; Editorials; Book reviews; Entertainment information

Audience

Researchers, scholars, professors, academics

Practitioners in the field

General audience

General audience

Language

Academic level writing & vocabulary;
Specialized language of the discipline; Can be highly technical

Written for practitioners in the field;
Specialized jargon

Non-technical vocabulary;
Often simple language

Non-technical vocabulary written for a general audience

Authors

Researchers, academics, professors, scholars

Experts in the field or journalists with subject expertise

Journalists, staff writers, freelance writers

Journalists, staff-writers

Editorial Requirements

Editors/reviewers are experts in same field as authors; may participate in peer-review process prior to publication; Rigorous publication standards; Articles checked for content, format and style

Editors are generally experts in same field as authors; articles rarely peer-reviewed prior to publication; articles usually checked only for format and style

Editors not academic experts in subject field of article; article topics often assigned or contracted; articles usually only edited for style and format

Editors not academic experts in subject field of article; articles edited for brevity

Citations & Footnotes

Footnotes & bibliographies;
Documentation often extensive

Occasional brief bibliographies;
Sources can be sited in text

Original sources can be obscure;
Sources, when used, are rarely cited in full

Sources are rarely cited in full

Publishers

Professional organizations, universities, research institutes and scholarly presses

Commercial / trade publisher;
Industry institutes and professional associations

Commercial / trade publishers;
Corporate ownership

Commercial / trade publishers;
Corporate ownership

Graphics & Illustrations

Graphs, charts and tables;
Ads and photographs are rare

Graphs, charts, tables, photographs relevant to the industry;
Glossy ads

Many graphics and photographs;
Many full-page, color, glossy ads

Photos, graphics and charts;
Many ads

This chart was adapted from:
Gradowski, G., Snavely, L., & Dempsey P. (Eds.) Designs for active learning: A sourcebook of classroom strategies for information education. Chicago: Association of College & Research Libraries, 1998.