We are lucky to live in a time where sample books and other reading materials are abundant and easily accessible. The reading materials we have available are textbooks, gazettes, newspapers, magazines and journals. While a journal may seem like someone’s diary, it’s actually one of those reading materials that provide detailed and essential information about a topic or subject that is worth knowing. Journal articles are popular in their own way and you are about to find out why.
We are lucky to live in a time where sample books and other reading materials are abundant and easily accessible. The reading materials we have available are textbooks, gazettes, newspapers, magazines and journals. While a journal may seem like someone’s diary, it’s actually one of those reading materials that provide detailed and essential information about a topic or subject that is worth knowing. Journal articles are popular in their own way and you are about to find out why.
What Is a Journal Article?
Experts should never stop learning. To feed their need for information, they have what we call a journal. A journal is published periodically throughout the year and contains a collection of articles that are written by experts. You can simply say that journals are written by experts for experts. If you’re not an expert, you can still read journals provided that you understand the topics that are discussed. Journal article writing is a form of professional writing that gives focus on very specific topics. They are also published both in print and online. Journal articles in PDF are just some of the journal article examples that are available online.
- Definition:
- A journal article is a scholarly piece of writing published in an academic journal.
- It represents original research, reviews, or discussions within a specific field of study.
- Components:
- Title and Author(s): Clearly identifies the topic and contributors.
- Abstract: A sample brief summary of the article’s main objectives and findings.
- Introduction: Establishes the context, research question, or hypothesis.
- Literature Review: Surveys existing research related to the topic.
- Methodology: Details the research methods employed.
- Results: Presents the findings of the study.
- Discussion: Analyzes and interprets the results.
- Conclusion: Summarizes the key points and suggests future research.
- Peer Review:
- Articles undergo a rigorous peer-review process where experts in the field evaluate the quality and validity of the research.
- This process ensures the reliability of the information presented.
- Publication Frequency:
- Journals may be published on various sample schedules (monthly, quarterly, etc.).
- The frequency often depends on the specific journal and academic discipline.
- Target Audience:
- Intended for scholars, researchers, and professionals in a particular field.
- Language and content are tailored to the expertise of the target audience.
- Citations and References:
- Articles include citations to acknowledge and give credit to previous research.
- A reference list is provided at the end, allowing readers to explore cited works.
- Formatting and Style:
- Follows a specific formatting style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.).
- Adheres to guidelines set by the journal for consistency.
- Access:
- Journal articles can be accessed through academic libraries, online databases, or directly from the journal’s website.
- Some articles may be behind paywalls, requiring a subscription or institutional access.
- Types of Journal Articles:
- Research Articles: Present original research and experiments.
- Review Articles: Summarize and analyze existing research on a specific topic.
- Case Studies: Explore specific instances or examples.
- Opinion or Commentary Pieces: Express the author’s viewpoint on a particular issue.
- Importance:
- Contributes to the scholarly conversation within a discipline.
- Establishes new knowledge, validates existing theories, or challenges current perspectives.
- Impact Factor:
- Some journals are assigned an impact factor, indicating the average number of citations their articles receive.
- Higher impact factors often signify greater influence in the academic community.
- Digital Presence:
- With the rise of online publishing, many journals also maintain a digital presence, facilitating broader access.
Scholarly or Popular: Why Does It Matter?
For most people, magazines are journals and journals are magazines. It seems right, but it feels really wrong to jumble them together and consider them as the same thing. There is a big difference between a magazine and a journal and it’s very important to know which is which. Journal articles are more about scholarly articles that are used as references in many thesis and research papers. It provides an analysis of a particular research topic. When writing a journal article, a specific journal article format is used. Popular magazines or publications on the other hand are not very specific with how their articles are written. The writer is free to use whatever article writing style they prefer. A few examples of popular magazines are National Geographic, Vogue, Time Magazine, and Newsweek.
By knowing the differences between the two types of publications, you’ll be able to choose and use the reference material that is appropriate for the paper your are writing.
11+ Journal Article Samples
Below are some wonderful journal article samples that you can use as sample reference to help you write relevant and reliable contents to your own journal article.
1. Journal Article Summary Template
2. Scholarly Journal Article in PDF
3. Reviewing a Journal Article Template
4. Journal Article Reporting Template
5. Evaluating Journal Article Template
How do you list journal articles?
When creating a list of journal articles, it’s crucial to follow a standardized citation style. Common styles include APA (American Psychological Association), MLA (Modern Language Association), and Chicago. Each style has specific guidelines for formatting citations. Below is a general guide based on the APA style:
APA Style Guide for Listing Journal Articles:
1. Author(s):
- List the last name and initials of all authors. Use an ampersand (&) before the last author’s name.
- Example: Smith, J. A., & Doe, M. B.
2. Publication Year:
- Enclose the publication year in parentheses, followed by a period.
- Example: (2022).
3. Title of the Article:
- Capitalize the first word of the title, the first word after a colon, and proper nouns.
- Use sentence case (capitalize only the first word) for the rest of the title.
- End with a period.
- Example: Title of the Article.
4. Title of the Journal:
- Italicize the name of the journal and capitalize all major words.
- End with a comma.
- Example: Journal of Academic Writing,
5. Volume Number:
- Italicize the volume number, followed by a comma.
- Example: 25,
6. Issue Number (if applicable):
- Italicize the issue number in parentheses, without adding a space after the comma.
- Example: (2),
7. Page Range:
- Include the page range of the article, followed by a period.
- Example: 123-145.
6. Professional Journal Article List Template
How to Write an Effective Journal Article and Get It Published
A journal article can be written using an essay writing style. In fact, there are a number of ways to write a journal article. What’s important is you take note of the essential parts or details. You can follow the simple steps provided below.
Step 1: Decide on a topic.
When deciding a topic for your journal article, it is best to choose a topic that you are interested in. It makes writing easier and more enjoyable for you to do. You’re also more knowledgeable about the topic you’re interested in so you can write more about it.
Step 2: Create an outline.
Preparing your outline before actually writing the contents of your journal article helps ensure completeness of your work analysis. It also eases the writing process since you can choose which part to write first and which part to write last.
Step 3: Use the appropriate resources.
Journal articles need to be informative. Informational writing requires you to use reliable sources and only provide facts so as not to mislead your readers. You may also use newspaper article if necessary, but you should be careful on what details to include.
Step 4: Review and make revisions to your work.
Before finalizing the journal article that you have made, make sure that you have all the parts covered from the introduction down to the article summary and conclusion. Also check for any spelling and grammar errors.
Step 5: Publish on print or online.
Decide how you want your work published. Follow the corresponding steps and requirements to have your work successfully published.
7. Sample Checklist for Journal Article Template
8. Journal Article Review in DOC
9. Journal Article Grid Template
10. Journal Article Evaluation Form Template
How do I find a journal article?
Finding a journal article involves various methods and sources. Here’s a comprehensive guide:
- Online Databases:
- Utilize academic databases like PubMed, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, or IEEE Xplore.
- Access your institution’s library resources, often providing subscriptions to multiple databases.
- Library Catalogs:
- Check the catalog of your local or university library for physical or electronic journal holdings.
- Explore interlibrary loan services if your library doesn’t have the needed resources.
- Search Engines:
- Use search engines like Google Scholar to locate scholarly articles.
- Adjust settings to link Google Scholar to your library’s collection for full-text access.
- Publisher Websites:
- Visit the websites of publishers known for scholarly journals, such as Elsevier, Springer, or Wiley.
- Some publishers offer open access to certain articles or provide free access after a specific embargo period.
- Institutional Repositories:
- Check if the author or their affiliated institution has uploaded the article to an institutional repository.
- Many universities maintain repositories where researchers share their work openly.
- Citation Tracking:
- Follow references in relevant articles to trace the research backward.
- Use tools like Web of Science or Scopus for citation tracking.
- Specialized Repositories:
- Explore subject-specific repositories for disciplines like arXiv for physics or SSRN for social sciences.
- Some fields have preprint servers where researchers share early versions of their work.
- Professional Organizations:
- Check the sample websites of professional organizations related to your field.
- They may provide access to journals, articles, or resources for their members.
- Social Media and Research Networks:
- Join academic social networks like ResearchGate or Academia.edu.
- Researchers often share their work, and you can request full-text versions.
- Ask Experts:
- Seek recommendations from professors, colleagues, or experts in the field.
- Attend conferences or webinars to connect with researchers and learn about their work.
- Public Libraries:
- Local public libraries may provide access to academic databases or interlibrary loan services.
- Librarians can assist in locating resources based on your needs.
- Government Websites:
- Explore government publications and sample reports on official websites.
- Some government agencies publish research articles related to their work.
11. Journal Article Review Format Template
12. Journal Article Review Form in DOC
What is the difference between journal and article?
With the samples above, you are sure to write better journal articles. It’s always best to get help from reliable sources because they help you make improvements in your writing style and you learn from them at the same time. The next time you find yourself stuck, just think of the many article summary samples where you can get inspiration from.
FAQS
Is newspaper a journal article?
No, a newspaper article is not the same as a journal article. Newspapers provide news and general information, while journals contain scholarly articles written by experts in specific fields.
What should a journal article include?
A journal article should include a title, abstract, introduction, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion, and references, providing detailed insights into the research or topic covered.
What makes a journal article strong
A strong journal article is characterized by clear objectives, rigorous methodology, valid results, insightful discussion, and adherence to ethical standards, contributing valuable knowledge to the field.
How do you identify a good journal article?
A good journal article is identified by its reputable source, well-defined research question, robust methodology, clear presentation of findings, and relevance to the field, contributing valuable insights and knowledge.
What is a journal most commonly used for?
A journal is most commonly used for documenting personal thoughts, experiences, and reflections, serving as a private space for self-expression, goal-setting, and tracking personal or professional development.
In conclusion, a journal article is a valuable tool for personal growth, self-reflection, and process documentation of experiences. It provides a private space to express thoughts, set goals, and track one’s journey.
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