There are so many names used to refer to magazines that it's often confusing knowing what's what. Use this guide to straighten out some of the confusion.
Serials = Cereals?
No, not Wheaties. Serials are any publication that comes out in parts. One part, then the next part, and the next, and the next--you get the idea. This could be annual reports, almanacs, or periodicals (we'll get to that next).
Periodicals
This is any publication with the same name that is issued on a regular basis (periodically--cool, huh?). This includes newspapers, magazines, and journals.
Magazines, Journals, Professional Journals
Here's where it gets kind of sticky. That's why we've included this nifty chart.
| Scholarly Journals | Magazines | Professional Journals | |
| Written by | scholars | journalists | journalists, industry experts |
| Written for | professors, students | general public | people who work in that field |
| Looks like
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mostly text, may have charts & graphs | glossy covers, many ads & photographs | glossy covers & industry ads |
| Articles | contain original research/analysis, usually signed by the author, long articles written in scholarly/technical language, contain bibliographies, peer-reviewed | info about current events, trends, pop culture not always signed by author short articles written for general reader no bibliographies | report on industry news & trends not always signed by author short articles written in technical language specific to that industry may be bibliographies |
| Examples |
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