Your instructor may ask you to use only scholarly resources for your paper. What's the difference between a scholarly or non-scholarly resource?
Scholarly/ peer-reviewed sources are written by experts and academics and contribute to knowledge in a field by sharing new research findings. These sources are reviewed by a panel of experts in that particular field, and are often published by a professional association or a university press. These experts ensure the information published is credible before accepting it for publication.
Non-Scholarly sources include websites, magazines, newspapers, and books that undergo no expert review prior to publishing; however, many of these sources (if vetted and found through academic databases) are reputable and valid and are considered Academic sources. All scholarly/ peer-reviewed sources are Academic, but not all Academic sources are scholarly and peer-reviewed.
Different types of publications have different purposes and different audiences. When we talk about journals, we can usually divide these publications into three broad categories: scholarly, popular, and trade publications.
| Scholarly Journals | Popular Journals | Trade Journals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Informs and reports on original research done by scholars and experts in the field. | Entertains and informs a general audience without providing in-depth analysis. | Reports on industry trends and new products or techniques useful to people in a trade or business. |
| Authors | Articles are written by subject specialists and experts in the field. | Articles are written by journalists, freelance writers, or an editorial staff. | Articles are written by specialists in a certain field or industry. |
| Audience | Intended for a limited audience - researchers, scholars, and experts. | Intended for a broad segment of the population, appealing to non-specialists. | Intended for practititioners in a particular profession, business, or industry. |
Can you identify which articles are popular and which are scholarly?
Research Resources
|
Primary Sources Definition: Reports original research; may also be referred to as primary articles, primary research or research studies. |
Secondary Sources Definition: Evaluations or interpretations of primary sources that provide commentary on the evidence. |
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