LS 101: Adams, M.: Distinguish between scholarly/popular sources

The following guide discusses the 'appearance' of these publications.  This is generally referring to the print format of the following types of publications. All of the publications discussed here are available in electronic format and you will have fewer visual clues to guide you.  The other aspects of each type of publication described below will help you determine which is which when you find them on the world wide web or in databases.  Always ask a librarian or your instructor when you are uncertain.

Scholarly (or academic, peer-reviewed, or refeered)

Sometimes called "Scholarly" or "Peer-Reviewed" or "Academic"  or "Refereed", these journal articles often feature the results of scientific or academic research.  They are written for scholars and provide in-depth analysis of a specific area of study.

• Appearance: Often have a sober, serious look. May contain graphs and charts, but few glossy pages or photographs. Use scholarly language with vocabulary specific to their field.
• Purpose: Written for researchers, scholars and professionals interested in the same field of study.
• Authority: Written by experts in the field, often reporting the results and conclusions of research they conducted. There is frequently more than one author.
• Citation: Contains footnotes/lengthy citations at the end of the work, citing the works of others used by the author.
• Frequency: May be published monthly, quartely, or yearly
• Potential uses: statistical information; research findings to 'prove' or 'disprove' a notion; cause and effect analysis; deep understanding of a narrow aspect of your topic

Popular magazines

Popular magazine articles are good for summarizing information on a topic for the general public.  They often provide some background, briefly summarize research findings, and provide some lay analysis of a topic, often with the intent to show the public how it applies to their lives.

• Appearance: Generally glossy with attractive color photographs and other images
• Purpose: Written for the general public,with the intent to inform, but also to entertain
• Authority: Written by magazine staff or freelance writers
• Citation: Citations are often absent or if present, informally referenced in the body of the text
• Frequency: Usually published weekly or monthly
• Potential uses: Gain a basic understanding of a current topic, as it is happening; understand how it applies to people directly; gain an understanding of the popular perception of a topic.

Trade journals

Sometimes called "trade" or "industry" magazines, these journals are intended to keep professionals (veterinarians, police officers, restauranteurs,...etc.) up-to-date on trends in their line of work.  Articles often summarize and analyze research, legislation, news events,... perhaps discussing how these things affect the profession's practice or business. 

• Appearance: Can have glossy eye-catching appearance, but can also be in newsletter format with few or no colors
• Purpose: Written for practicing professionals
• Authority: Often written by a staff writer, though most trade publications also accept articles from professionals in the field
• Citation: Citations are sometimes present at the end of an article, or footnotes are provided within the text.
• Frequency: Often published weekly or monthly
• Potential uses: Understand how an issue affects people in their professional practices, or how a profession uses information to guide its practice 

 Newspapers

Newspaper articles are good for finding recent information on a topic (what has happened in the last 24 hours, the last week or last month) as well as finding out how events of the past were reported by using historical newspapers (for example, how the AIDS crisis was first reported in the 1980s).

• Appearance: Generally printed on newsprint paper, often with black print and grey scale images
• Purpose: Written for the general public.  Articles offer brief coverage of events as they happen/change.  Newspapers also have 'special features where more coverage than usual may be given to a topic
• Authority: Often written by a staff writer or a freelance journalist
• Citation: Citations are often lacking, or informally referenced in the body of the text
• Frequency: Usually published daily
• Potential uses: Get extended information about a local issue; find primary source documentation of historical events as they happened through the use of newspaper archives