About Journals
A Journal By Any Other Name
Journals are distinct from books in that they are published periodically (i.e. as a number of issues over time), unlike a book, which is published once. Journals are known by many names - journals, serials, periodicals, magazines etc.
Types of Journals: What's the Difference?
There are several types of journal, the most common being:
- Scholarly or academic journals (more information)
- Trade and industry journals (more information)
- Popular magazines (more information)
- Newspapers (more information)
Journal Formats
Journals come in both print and electronic formats. Many journals are available in both formats and the method of getting hold of the articles may vary depending on the format needed or available (see our Getting Hold of Journal Articles: Electronic Journals and Getting Hold of Journal Articles: Print Journals for further details and instructions).
Print Journals in the Massey University Libraries
All print journals are for use in the Library only, and may not be borrowed. Photocopying facilities are available at every campus library, and scanning facilities at some of the libraries.
Journals are mostly shelved in a separate part of the library from the books, although in some collections (e.g. the New Zealand and Pacific collection and the Nga Kupu Ora collection at the Turitea Library) the journals are interfiled with the books.
New journal issues arrive at the Library unbound (i.e. with a thin paper cover) and go straight onto a new journals or new serials display. Once they are removed from the display the issues are shelved with the rest of the journal issues at the appropriate call number. In many cases the Library binds sets of single issues into bound volumes - these are also shelved at the appropriate call number.
Journal Abbreviations
Many journal titles are abbreviated in common usage. In order to track down the exact journal you want, you may need to look up the abbreviation to find out the full title of the journal (e.g. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation is often abbreviated to J. vet. diagn. invest.).
- Google is often the best way to track down a journal abbreviation.
- Abbreviations.com provides a list of journal title abbreviations arranged by subject.
- ISI Journal Title Abbreviations provides an A-Z list of journals.
- The Library has other useful journal abbreviations resources, so if you are unsuccessful with Google and Abbreviations.com, please contact us.
