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Research Guides

Engl 1102 Library Research Unit Guide for Students

Popular vs. Scholarly Activity

Scholarly vs. popular sources

Scholarly vs. Popular Sources
Scholarly Popular
  • Written by experts
  • Research-based
  • Peer-reviewed (refereed)
  • Cite sources (bibliography, footnotes, etc)
  • Published in scholarly journals
    • Examples: Journal of Clinical Psychology, The New England Journal of Medicine
  • Written by journalists, staff writers, or freelance writers
  • Do not have formal citations
  • Published in popular magazines or news publications
  • Lots of images and advertisements
  • Examples: Time, Newsweek, National Geographic

 

Scholarly vs. popular periodicals