Funk Library · University of Illinois · www.library.illinois.edu/funkaces
Journals
Vs.
Magazines
Purpose
Publishers
Academic / Scholarly
Journals
Trade Magazines
Consumer Magazines
Reports original research or
analysis of research (metaanalysis, systematic
reviews)
Current news about
organization or field.
Career and employment
information.
Entertainment,
informational,
promotional, vehicle for
selling products
Publishers that specialize in
academic publishing,
professional organizations
Professional organizations
Commercial
Monthly, quarterly
Monthly or less frequently
Frequency
Audience
Weekly or monthly
Professors
Researchers
Scholars
Students
Government officials /
policy makers
Scholars and professionals
of a particular field
General public or
segments of public
Articles may be about
This guide can be found at http://www.library.illinois.edu/journ-mag.pdf
Updated 11/6/2013—mma
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Content
Articles cover original
research and includes
introduction, abstract,
literature review,
methodology, results,
conclusion, references
Typically lengthy,
objectively written, to-thepoint with in-depth analysis
Plain journal covers and
interior landscape.
Minimal use of illustrations.
When used, typically
graphs, figures, tables.
Minimal advertising. When
there, is related to
academic interests of
readership
Uses terminology relevant
to discipline or field.
Assumes reader
knowledgeable in area.
Is expert in the field.
Contains authors
credentials and affiliation
current events, research,
news or information
summaries, subjective or
personal accounts of
interest to those in the
field.
Typically shorter but may
be longer
Plain magazine covers and
interior landscape.
Minimal use of
illustrations. When used,
typically graphs, figures,
tables.
Minimal advertising.
When there, is related to
professional interests of
readership
Uses terminology relevant
to profession.
Peer Reviewed /
Refereed
Sources are always
documented with
appropriate citation format
style, including a references
Typically shorter but may
be longer
Colorful and glossy in
inside and out. Lots of
pictures and illustrations.
Lots of advertisements of
products geared towards
general or specific
readership interests.
Language geared towards
a general audience. Nontechnical.
Is professional in field.
Contains authors
credentials and affiliation
Authors
Most articles go through a
process of review by a
select group of editors or
other experts in the article’s
subject field.
Articles may be about
current events, news or
information summaries,
subjective or personal
accounts of interest to
general or specific
readerships
Written by professionals
and non-professionals.
Authorship not always
provided.
Generally no peer review
No peer review
Rarely contains references
Rarely contains
This guide can be found at http://www.library.illinois.edu/journ-mag.pdf
Updated 11/6/2013—mma
Need Help? Ask a Librarian!
/ bibliography list.
References
Indexed in scholarly
bibliographic databases /
indexes, such as PubMed,
Biological Abstracts, and
Science Citation Index.
references
May or may not be
indexed in related
bibliographic databases /
indexes
Indexed in general or
other related
bibliographic databases /
indexes
Indexing
Please check in UlrichsWeb: International Periodical Directory for information about the type of
periodical title or whether or not it is a refereed (peer-reviewed) journal. Journal websites typically
provide information about whether the journal is refereed, and the process they use to do so.
This guide can be found at http://www.library.illinois.edu/journ-mag.pdf
Updated 11/6/2013—mma
Need Help? Ask a Librarian!