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Criminal Justice Research Guide
Pollak Library

Comparing Journals and Popular Magazines

bulletWhat is a scholarly journal?
Scholarly journals publish articles that report the results of research.  There is often an emphasis on the theoretical aspects of a field of study. Articles are submitted to an editorial board and are critically evaluated via the peer review process before publication.  There is a great effort to maintain the highest academic standards within scholarly journals.
bulletHow to recognize a scholarly journal:
The journals seldom have pictures or advertising. The covers are simple, generally without illustrations.  Sometimes the table of contents is printed on the cover.  The authors of the articles are always identified and at the end of the article is a bibliography.
 
A few examples of Criminal Justice journals:
Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Justice Quarterly: JQ Policing Journal of Interpersonal Violence British Journal of Criminology

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bulletWhat is a trade journal?
Trade journals and trade magazines contain practical information for the professional currently working in the field. The articles in the trade journals are easy to read and contain useful information.  They are generally published by professional associations and may be sent to members as a part of the benefits of membership in professional organizations.
bulletHow to recognize a trade journal:
The trade journals and trade magazines will have attractive covers, illustrations, advertisements and easy to read articles, much like the magazines from the popular press.  However the information is directed at working professionals.   The articles are designed to inform the professional of changes within their profession. One simple clue is the advertisements; in a Criminal Justice trade journal there will be advertisements for products such as handcuffs, body armor, enforcement software and the like.
A few examples of Criminal Justice trade journals:
The Police Chief FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin  Corrections Today

Graphic for and link to January 2005 Issue

Journals and trade magazines in Criminal Justice that the Pollak Library subscribes to.
 

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bulletWhat is a popular magazine?
Magazines are intended to inform and entertain and will contain articles on varied topics of popular interest. Magazines always easy to read and contain advertising and colorful pictures.  A few examples of magazines that this library subscribes to are Newsweek, Sports Illustrated, Parents, U.S. News and World Report, and Time.
bulletHow to recognize a popular magazine:
Magazines will have attractive covers, advertising and interesting articles.  They are purchased at magazine stands and local stores.  The Criminal Justice student will generally not use magazine articles for their research. There are exceptions, of course, such as new articles on pertinent topics.
To get to indexes to news articles, click here.
 
a few examples of popular magazines:
Newsweek Parents National Geographic Discover Smithsonian

 

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Prepared by Cynthia Bruns CBruns@fullerton.edu An administrative page of the Paulina June & George Pollak Library at California State University, Fullerton. (c) 2005 California State University, Fullerton. All rights reserved. Last Revised: August 26, 2008