What is the Difference Between a Magazine and Journal Article?

Answer

Magazines usually have colorful, splashy covers, contain many advertisements, contain many pictures and colors, and are written in language the average audience can understand. They may mention sources, but they usually lack a bibliography or footnotes. There is no peer review process for a magazine, and they are usually written by regular journalists/staff members of the publisher.

Journals usually have plain covers, often with no pictures, little or no advertising, and most illustrations used are charts and graphs. Journals use higher-level language and jargon (terms and words) of the field; sources are cited, often in long bibliographies. The peer-review process is often required, and the authors are experts working in a particular field.

Visit our Difference Between Journals, Magazines, and Professional Periodicals page for more information on periodicals.