Magazines vs. Journals

Information in periodicals – journals, magazines, and newspapers – may be useful, or even critical, when you are ready to focus in on specific aspects of your topic, or to find more up-to-date information.

These types of publications are referred to as periodicals because they are issued in periodic installments (e.g. daily, weekly, or monthly).

There are some significant differences between magazine articles and journal articles, and you should consider the level of scholarship that is most appropriate for your research. Popular or controversial topics may not be well covered in journals, even though coverage in magazines for that same topic could be extensive.

Journals typically have more scholarly or technical articles, citing sources of related research, and are often published by academic or association presses. Because they disseminate knowledge concerning a specific discipline, journals are intended primarily for students, researchers, and those interested in a particular field of study.


Magazines are directed toward the general public and typically are published by commercial presses. Because they are designed to entertain or provide general information to a wide audience, magazines rarely provide footnotes or directly cite sources of information.