The Bottom Line: It is a good science magazine, easy to read articles, a little bit pricey, but I would still recommend it based on good variety and coverage of topics.
My interest in discover magazine began in college. I majored in Biochemistry, and reading science journals was my hobby. The four journals I read were Science, Discover, JAMA, and Popular Science. I will first talk about Discover then give a brief overview of the others and how they compare.
Discover Magazine
Discover is the type of magazine that covers general science topics in a manner that is understandable by the general population. I think that it has just enough detail to be appealing to those who are scientists as well.
Discover magazine covers a fairly wide variety of topics, but leans more heavily toward astronomy and astrophysics, this is acceptable to me, because I like reading about astrophysics. The articles in discover are written in a manner in which they feature a certain science topic. The articles do not attempt to give details of validity, and reliability of the studies conducted, in which they are writing about. This style of writing is not particularly appealing to all people, but it does make it easier for the average person interested in science topics to read.
Topics covered in discover encompass all areas of science, for example earth science, biology, chemistry, pharmacology, some technology (machines), physics, and astronomy.
How it compares to others
Now I am going to compare Discover to some other science journals.
Discover vs. Science
Discover and Science magazine cover the same core topics in the sciences. However, Science magazine is a more detailed science journal. Science features articles written by scientists, actually they are usually published research papers submitted by scientists. It reveals the results of studies carried out by scientists. Science magazine gives specific details and statistics including the validity and reliability of the study. Science doesn't have as many flashy photos, but it does have core photos related to the studies published in the journal. Science magazine is highly appealing to scientists and science majors in college. It would be a little harder for somebody uneducated in the sciences to read Science magazine and truly understand the articles within (notice I did not say impossible, just more difficult). In contrast, Discover magazine would cover the same topic as some of the articles in Science. Discover would kind of "jazz up" the topic, add flashy photos and make the research report/findings into an article that could be easily understood and enjoyed by the general population.
Discover vs. Popular Science
These two journals are somewhat similar. They both cover a vast array of science topics in an easy to read and pleasurable fashion. Both have pages filled multiple attractive color photos of science related objects. The main difference I detect between the two is that popular science focus more on new technology. The beginning of each popular science issue is filled with the latest techno gadgets. I remember they had "Palm pilots" listed about 2 years before anybody knew what they were, and about 4 years before everybody on the planet owned one. Popular science also features automotive technology. Popular science would appeal to people who enjoy reading about or owning the latest technology. Popular science also covers other topics, like bacteria for example. The manner in which they cover other topics is very similar to the manner in which discover covers them. Popular science does not seem (in my opinion) to have as many articles on astronomy as Discover does. Popular science also doesn't have quite as many science articles as discover either, seeing as the first portion of popular science is the techno gadgets. I find both magazines equally appealing, and cannot rate one higher than the other. Bottom line: Popular science is cheaper!!
Discover vs. JAMA
These two magazines are quite different. JAMA stands for the Journal of the American Medical Association. Discover is a magazine fit for the general population. JAMA is a magazine that would probably only interest people interested in the medical field. JAMA is a magazine filled with articles written by doctors and research scientists. The articles pertain to medicine and the human body. The articles focus on studies done to increase the quality of patient care and outcomes. The articles read like research papers, giving immense statistical details. JAMA contains very few color photos, but usually some very good anatomy sketches, and photos when applicable.
Prices
Discover
Discounted Price: $30/yr
Science
Must join the (AAAS)American Association for the Advancement of Science (includes subs. to Science mag.)
K-12 Teachers/Professionals - $115/yr
Post Doctorate/Residents - $90/yr
Students $65/yr
Popular Science
$12.94/yr
JAMA
Available with membership to the American Medical Association
Prices Vary
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