Journals are the largest collections of literature in most academic fields. They are a major source of primary and secondary literature that feed the research cycle that continually improves any given subject. Browsing journals can give insight into the most current subjects and the research that is being conducted in your field.
Many articles submitted to an academic journal must go through a peer review process where the authors' research and sources are verified and their interpretations are judged for accuracy and integrity. This leads to more reliable published research.