Distinguishing scholarly from nonscholarly periodicals

Take notes on the criteria that you need to be familiar with to help you differentiate between scholarly journals and other periodicals. Being able to distinguish scholarly from nonscholarly periodicals is the first step in critically evaluating your source of information for college level research.

What are Periodicals? Magazines, newspapers and journals are also called: PERIODICALS Articles are published in: Magazines Newspapers Journals

Why does it matter? Popular periodicals often publish with little or no attribution of sources and can cite anonymous sources. Might mention “sources say” but do not provide you with the information you would need to find it on your own Scholarly articles are required to provide full documentation to support statements. Works Cited, Bibliography or References And this matters because …You shouldn’t trust or quote information when you don’t know where it is coming from

Scholarly Journals Reports original research or experimentation. Articles written by an expert in the field for other experts. Examples: MD, Professor, or PhD Articles undergo peer review process before publication. Authors of articles always cite their sources in the form of footnotes or bibliographies. Articles use specialized jargon of the discipline. Usually black and white, with few graphics

NonScholarly Periodicals Although they may be acceptable for your English 110 paper you need to question these articles before using them in your assignments Bias Opinion of …?

General-Interest (including big newspapers) Provides info in general manner to a broad audience or to members of a trade Articles written by a reporter or a freelance writer. Language of articles often geared to an educated audience, no subject expertise assumed. No peer review process – polls, surveys, etc. Sources are sometimes cited, but there is rarely a bibliography. May refer to research that you will need a librarian to help you find 1-3 sources at the end of the article is not a scholarly article

Popular Magazine Articles are short and written in simple language. Little depth to the content of the articles. The purpose is to entertain, not necessarily to inform. Information published is often second- or third-hand. The original source of information is obscure. Articles are written by staff members or freelance writers. Purpose of magazine is to sell and advertise.

Internet Sources Your instructor may have told you that you can not use Internet sources. This usually does not mean that you can not use that Internet. Using something that is published only on the Internet, a web site, blog or wiki are sources that are not considered scholarly. If the item was originally published in print and was considered scholarly in the print format the Internet or online version is also scholorly.

Questions to ask yourself when using the Internet… What type of website is it? Who is behind the website? Is the information supported with verifiable evidence? Does it promote an opinion or political agenda Selling a service or product Offering tips/advice News or Blogs Governmental Scholarly article Wikipedia-type