Physics education research, electronic materials, and the musings of Christopher Moore, Ph.D.

Can anyone help answer some questions for me? Physicists say that charged particles possess magnetic dipoles. I know that the magnetic moment of these particles can be measured, but i dont know how this is done. In some articles i have read it states that a charged particle will experience a force in an external magnetic field and the poles of the particle will align themselves to the opposite poles of the external magnetic field. However, in other articles, it states that charged particles will niether be repelled nor attracted by the poles of an external magnetic field. both cant true. Do physicists actually know for sure that charged particles have magnetic poles? or do they just assume this because they are a "spinning" electrical charge? Im confused!