Journal

What is a journal? Well, a journal can be a number of different things depending on what it is to be used for. For example, a journal can be an academic article for publication, it can be a type of personal writing document or a personal reflection tool used when in education or training environments.

In academia, journals are periodicals that publish original research on specific topics such as political science or nursing, critical analysis documents and some may also be peer-reviewed articles. However, peer-reviewed articles and journals used to be the “gold standard” in publication but this is not now necessarily the case now due to some peer-reviews being subject to biases that favour/disfavour research topics, institutions or demographic groups. This means impartiality and validity are at risk thereby negating the content and reputation of this type of journal/article.

Academic journals are written for specific research groups, specialists or disciplines and are generally not meant for wider publication and readership. That is not to say these types of research journals are not in the public domain, but this will depend on the topics being disseminated through journal publication. 

Journals are supposed to be to be platforms to explore the latest research, discussion or discourse in a particular field or discipline. In essence, journals are supposed to be the apex of academic inquiry and research in a given discipline. However, journals can also have a personal element such as a reflective journal which can be used as part of a training portfolio. These types of journals allow the trainee to identify how they feel, what they learn, their experiences during the training and the successes or failures of the training course. Reflective journals are essential parts of degrees such as nursing, counselling and sports therapy as ways in which the students can identify their development, feelings and experiences as they proceed through the degree.

Image of Gibbs (1988) Reflective Cycle for a Reflective Journal

In many ways, a journal of this type is a kind of diary where the writer/student writes about themselves, how they learn, what they learn, their personal reflections and identify their own experiences and learning on a journey or training programme. A personal reflection journal can also highlight some issues for the writer. For instance, there may be a fear of self-disclosure as this type of journal requires the writer to reflect on their own feelings, thoughts, emotions and memories.

Self-reflection involves self-confrontation, and people may not want to rekindle or face memories, times and incidents which they find unsettling. These types of journals may lead to unpleasant personal home truths or acknowledge painful experiences which have been buried. In turn, this can then lead to anxiety issues as going into the past and one’s subconscious can be a debilitating experience depending on the memories that appear.

Conversely, the reflective journal can also be a journey of self-discovery which ultimately leads to personal reconciliation with the past and a consequent catharsis and liberation from the emotional shackles of that past. In essence, a journal can be used as form of personal therapy known as writing therapy where the writer can express ideas and thoughts that they may not be able to verbally articulate to themselves or others.

Image of a junk journal

Another form of journal is that of the junk journal. In essence, a junk journal is made up of materials that may normally be thrown in the bin, hence the name junk journal. These types of journals can include items of personal interest such as old newspaper articles, drawings, pieces of artwork, leaflets or even old pictures. Indeed, junk journals can be places where artwork of all types can be included whether self-painted or downloaded from the internet. Old maps, letters (if anyone writes them anymore), Christmas cards or birthday cards can be included in a junk journal. In short, anything of personal interest can be in such a journal and it can be as creative as the author wants. In fact, it could be a reflective junk journal which expresses the author’s thoughts, feelings, experiences and emotions through creative junk. In essence, a journal can be in any format and on any topic you want. It’s up to you.

Journal Time

Journal, Journal, is there a kernel
of truth in all that I have written?

Did I tell you about the times
that I was smitten, that I fancied
her, her and her, that I shied
away too timid to say or
do anything?

Did I tell you of the heartaches,
heartbreaks of going wild
about a lover, a song, some
misplaced sense of injustice
or someone doing wrong?

Then again, was I only fooling myself
when I should have known better,
followed my heart to the letter
but there you go, what did I know
then or now?

So, tell me Journal, Journal is there a
kernel of truth in what has been written?
Was it a journey of revelatory reflection
or an exercise in cynical self-deception?

Thanks for reading, Dermot.