What is the purpose of journals and professional papers?

Answer by  lonelywolf (2117)

They allow scholars to share their ideas with each other, in a venue that has some measure of quality control. A professional paper that appears in a journal has gone through a vetting process where other have reviewed it and deemed it worthy of publication, thus ensuring the paper is of worth to other scholars and professionals in a field.

Answer by  JodiJ (312)

Journals and professional papers are used primarily by academics and researchers to keep each other informed of their latest findings and/or to refute previous work. The writings are usually highly technical in nature so that the research can be replicated. Once there is general acceptance of the information it is published in more public friendly formats.

Answer by  mchellin78 (47)

Professional journals and papers are like peer reviews. People that are experts in a certain field share their knowledge with others of that field. Everyone benefits from it and can learn something new about their topic.

Answer by  AvrilBey (474)

Simply put, journals, professional papers, and now online databases, are a means to spread recent scientific discoveries to other scientists easily. Just imagine, there are tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of scientists in all fields collectively, how do they share findings? Also, for the non-practicing scientists, such as professors, it is a way for them to learn.