Serials, Periodicals, and Journals:
Definitions and Examples

Serial:

An all-inclusive term for a publication in any medium issued in successive parts bearing numerical or chronological designations, and intended to be continued indefinitely. Serials include periodicals, newspapers, annuals (reports, yearbooks, etc.), the journals, memoirs, proceedings, transactions, etc. of societies, and numbered monographic series.

New York Times
Annual Review of Sociology
Yearbook of the National Society for the Study of Education
Memoirs of the American Academy in Rome
Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society
Transactions of the Royal Historical Society
Civilization of the American Indians

Periodical:

A serial appearing or intended to appear indefinitely at regular or stated intervals, generally more frequently than annually. Each issue is numbered or dated consecutively and normally contains separate articles, stories, or other writings.

Journal:

A periodical, especially one containing scholarly articles and/or disseminating current information on research and development in a particular subject field. Are frequently refereed as well.

1. Professional society journal: A periodical published by a learned society or association

American Anthropologist (American Anthropology Association)
American Libraries (American Library Association)
College English (National Council of Teachers of English)
JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association
JASA: Journal of the American Statistical Association

2. Refereed journal: A periodical or other serial which contains scholarly articles. Manuscripts are refereed (evaluated) by at least one subject specialist in addition to the editor before being accepted for publication. The editorial board ensures a better chance that the final product will be a contribution to knowledge. Also referred to as a “scholarly journal” or an “academic journal.” Usually includes footnotes and/or bibliography.

American Journal of Botany
Annals of Mathematics
Feminist Studies
Hispanic American Historical Review
Publication of the Modern Language Association (PMLA)
Womens Studies Quarterly

3. Popular magazine: A periodical for general reading, containing articles on various subjects by different authors.

Scientific American
Smithsonian
Ms.
Opera News
National Geographic
Art in America
New Yorker
Newsweek

Some periodicals are journals of opinion and represent an ideological spectrum from the left-wing liberal to the conservative right-wing. Many are also called “newsweeklies” or “newsmagazines.”

4. Consumer /general interest magazines: Reflect social trends, issues, interests

American Baby Magazine
Cosmopolitan
Playboy
PC World
Soap Opera Digest
Cycling USA
Your Money
Prevention
Spiritual Life
Modern Bride

5. Trade journal or publication: A periodical devoted to the interests of a trade or industry and its allied fields. Usually not refereed.

Beverage World
Modern Plastics
Beauty Product Marketing
Food Management
Oil and Gas Journal
Packaging

View a chart summary of the major differences among the various types of serials

The ALA Glossary of Library and Information Science. Young, Heartsill, Ed. Chicago, IL: American Library Association, 1983.

From Radical Left to Extreme Right. 3d. ed. Gail Skidmore and Theodore J. Spahn. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1987.

Magazines for Libraries. 8th ed. Bill Katz and Linda Sternberg Katz, Eds. New Providence, NJ: R. R. Bowker, 1995.