Journals are key academic sources that provide information on the latest research, theories and cutting-edge knowledge in a subject. They are published regularly throughout the year and are sometimes referred to as periodicals.
Each issue contains several articles which cover areas of current interest or address specialist topics in much greater detail, and are more up-to-date than is usually possible in books. They are typically written for other academics and researchers who have an interest in the topic.
Articles are often peer reviewed. This means they are critically evaluated by subject experts before publication to ensure the validity, significance and originality of the work.
Usually, journals contain a mix of research articles, reviews and communications. See below to identify the different types of content included in a journal.
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