What is the difference between a scholarly journal and a popular magazine?
Answer
A "periodical" is any publication that comes out regularly or occasionally (i.e., periodically).
A "magazine" is a periodical with a popular focus (i.e., aimed at the general public).
A "journal" is a scholarly periodical aimed at specialists and researchers.
This guide from Georgia State University Library gives details about the differences.
Databases will often give the option of limiting a search to scholarly articles.