What is a Scholarly Article?
Your instructor may tell you to only use “scholarly” sources for a project. They may also call them “academic,” “peer-reviewed,” “professional journals.” What does that mean? How can I tell a scholarly source versus a “popular” source?
| Scholarly Journals | Popular Magazines |
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| Authority | Will list academic credentials of the
author(s). | May/may not list academic credentials of the author(s). |
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| Publisher | Typically a university or academically inclined organization. | Typically a commercial publishing firm or media organization. |
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| Documentation | Will contain footnotes, references, and/or bibliographies. | May/may not contain footnotes, references, and/or bibliographies. |
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| Peer Review | Examined by experts in the field for accuracy and research validity before publication. | No peer review process. |
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| Audience | Scholars, researchers, students. | General public. |
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| Frequency | Monthly, Quarterly, or 2-3 times per year. | Generally a weekly or monthly publication. |
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| Content | Focus on text and tabular data, less on visual appeal; advertising for field-related products. | Colorful, glossy, many photographs and illustrations; high importance on visual appeal; advertising for commercial products. |
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| Examples | JAMA, American Journal of Nursing, Journal of Faculty Development, Journal of Developmental Education, Nursing Outlook. | Time, Business Week, Psychology Today, People, Forbes, Money, U.S. News and World Report. |
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