
Scholarly sources (also referred to as academic, peer-reviewed, or refereed
Peer review
Peer review is the evaluation of work by one or more people of similar competence to the producers of the work (peers). It constitutes a form of self-regulation by qualified members of a profession within the relevant field. Peer review methods are employed to maintain standards of …
What types of sources are considered scholarly?
- The authors are scholars or researchers with known affiliations and educational/research credentials
- The authors cite other sources, be they primary or secondary. ...
- The language used is either academic or complex, and may include disciplinary or theoretical lingo
Why use scholarly sources?
Why use scholarly sources? Scholarly sources are generally more reliable because they have gone through the process of peer-review. They generally go into greater detail about an event than a secondary source, and will have detailed citations leading you to the primary sources consulted.
Why are scholarly sources more appropriate for academic research?
Scholarly sources are highly appropriate for academic research because of their credibility and validity. Among the reputable scholarly sources are peer-reviewed journals. Their reputation is enhanced by the fact that professionals in their field, apart from the author and editor, evaluate each article prior to its endorsement and publishing.
What is considered an academic source?
To identify an academic source, apply the criteria listed below:
- What are the qualifications of the author? Academic authors are likely to come from a university or institute, and academic writing is often published by a university press.
- Are sources listed? Look for a reference list or bibliography.
- Has the writing been peer-reviewed? ...
- Is the writing objective? ...
- Who is the target audience? ...

What makes a resource scholarly?
Generally speaking, a scholarly resource (versus a "popular" resource) is one that is: Written by academics, researchers, or other professionals with advanced degrees that indicate their expertise in a field of study. Written for an audience of scholarly or professional peers.
How do you know if a resource is scholarly?
How Do I Decide if a Source is Scholarly?Are written by and for faculty, researchers or scholars.Use the language of the discipline.Are often refereed or peer reviewed by specialists before being accepted for publication.Include full citations for sources.More items...
What is an example of a scholarly resource?
Examples of scholarly sources are: Journals. Books. Conference presentations.
What is considered a scholarly article?
Scholarly articles are sometimes referred to as "peer-reviewed" or "refereed" because they are typically evaluated by other scholars before being accepted for publication. A scholarly article is commonly a study or a literature review, and usually longer than a magazine article.
What is not a scholarly source?
Non scholarly sources inform and entertain the public (e.g. popular sources such as newspapers, magazines) or allow practitioners to share industry, practice, and production information (e.g. trade sources such as non-refereed journals published for people working in the teaching profession).
What is the difference between scholarly and non scholarly articles?
If it reports on original research or experimentation, it is considered a scholarly publication. If its primary focus is to entertain, to sell a product, or to promote a point of view, it is considered non- scholarly. 2. Are sources cited in footnotes or bibliographies?
What are the two main types of scholarly sources?
A scholarly publication contains articles written by experts in a particular field....Scholarly publications (Journals)are written by and for faculty, researchers, or other experts in a field.use scholarly or technical language.include a full bibliography of sources cited in the article.are often peer reviewed (refereed)
What's the difference between scholarly and popular sources?
A scholarly (or academic) resource is one that is written by experts in the field for experts in the field. A popular resource is one that is written for the general public. Your local newspaper is a popular resource. Databases usually have some mechanism to search for only scholarly, or peer reviewed, articles.
Are all books considered scholarly sources?
Books usually count as academic sources, but it depends on what kind of book. Textbooks, encyclopedias, and books published for commercial audiences often do not count as academic. Consider these questions when you're deciding if a book is academic or not: Who is the author?
What websites are considered scholarly?
Websites produced by government departments, representing industry bodies, universities or research centers often contain useful information such as statistics, policies, reports and case studies and are considered scholarly.
What are scholarly articles 5 examples?
Examples of Scholarly Journals:Examples of Scholarly Journals:§ American Journal of Sociology§ Black Scholar§ Harvard Business Review§ JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association§ Journal of Clinical Psychology§ Modern Fiction Studies§ Physics Reports§ Technology and Culture
What websites are considered scholarly?
Websites produced by government departments, representing industry bodies, universities or research centers often contain useful information such as statistics, policies, reports and case studies and are considered scholarly.
Is a newspaper a scholarly source?
Newspapers are not scholarly sources, but some would not properly be termed popular, either. Every source must be questioned for its stake in the material.
Is a school textbook a scholarly source?
Textbooks are the most readable scholarly sources available to you. They are specifically designed to be read by undergraduates. The same thing can't be said about other top-tier scholarly sources like journal articles (notoriously hard to read), reports and legislation.
What are scholarly resources?
Scholarly resources have the following features: 1. They are written by experts - look for an author's credentials or affiliations. 2. They are written for other experts or people in academia. Think of each scholarly work as a voice in an ongoing conversation to which you will add your voice when you write a paper. 3.
What is a scholarly article?
Scholarly articles are published in scholarly journals. Most of these journals are discipline specific. For example if you study microbiology you might want to look in the Journal of Bacteriology. If you study Shakespeare you might look at Shakespeare Quarterly. Scholarly articles have certain things in common.
How do you know if a journal is peer reviewed?
How do you know if a journal is peer reviewed? Some databases will let you check a box to limit to peer reviewed articles. You can also look at the journal's website which will explain the editorial process including whether or not the journal is peer reviewed.
What are the things that scholars have in common?
Scholarly articles have certain things in common. Notes, references, or works cited; This information is provided so readers know where the information was obtained, can verify sources, and/or use information for their own research. Sometimes you will encounter popular resources.
What is Meriam Library?
As an academic library, Meriam Library collects mostly scholarly resources.
Why use scholarly sources?
Credibility: If you’re a student writing a research paper, scholarly sources help establish credibility.
What is a peer-reviewed source?
Often scholarly journals are peer-reviewed. A peer-reviewed source is one that’s been vetted (reviewed) by other experts (peers) in the field.
What is scholarly research?
Scholarly research can include survey results, data and referencing or building on work that has already been conducted by other scholars.
What Qualifies as a Scholarly Source?
At its simplest, “a scholarly source is material written by scholars for scholars,” said Anaya Jones, eLearning librarian at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).
How to find scholarly sources?
When seeking scholarly sources, library databases are the best place to start. That’s where you can find a wealth of information published in scholarly journals and academic presses. Most colleges and universities have subscriptions that provide online access for students to all of the scholarly journals. Library databases also include popular sources, but be sure to take care to direct your search to scholarly sources only. The best way to do this is to start your search by looking for peer-reviewed journals.
How to tell if a piece is scholarly?
From there you can make an informed guess about the audience. If the piece is written by a professor or researcher and the publication is targeted toward other professors and researchers, the piece is most likely scholarly.
What is the purpose of a scholar?
Scholars have advanced degrees and conduct research to advance their respective academic field. Their work is intended to share knowledge, not to sell newspapers, generate clicks or make money in any way.
Is an article published five years ago old or new?
Date: “An old source in one discipline is not an old source in another,” Jones said. An article published five years ago can be old or new, depending on the field. Information that is up to date in your discipline is important.
Is an article scholarly?
If an article is published in a peer-reviewed journal, it’s scholarly. If an article is published in an academic journal that is not peer-reviewed, it may be scholarly, but it may not. It’s important to look for clues and use your judgement as a scholar to figure out
What is scholarly source?
Scholarly sources (also referred to as academic, peer-reviewed, or refereed) are written by experts in a particular field and serve to keep others interested in that field up to date on the most recent research, findings, and news.
What is peer reviewed journal?
A peer reviewed journal article is an article that has been reviewed and chosen for publication by the author's professional peers. These peers are scholars in the field, who sit on the editorial board of a journal which is usually published by a professional organization or a university press. Peer reviewed articles can also be known as scholarly or refereed articles.
What are scholarly and non-scholarly materials?
Both scholarly and non-scholarly materials have a place in arts and humanities research. Their use, and even their definition, depends on the context of the research project. Books, conference publications, and academic journal articles, regardless of whether they are print-based or electronic, are common types of scholarly materials, ...
What are non-scholarly sources?
Non-scholarly materials usually consiste of, but are not limited to: 1 News sources, newspapers, and materials that are time-based and get updated frequently 2 Sources that are primarily journalistic 3 Sources written for a broad readership 4 Sources that are advocacy or opinion-based. Keep in mind that opinion-based articles, scholarly news, and letters to the editor get published in scholarly journals alongside scholarly articles. 5 Sources that lack references to other sources 6 Data and statistical publications and compilations 7 Primary sources 8 Trade and professional sources 9 Reviews of books, movies, plays, or gallery and art shows, that are not essay-length and that do not inlcude a bibliographic context
What is an editorial process?
An editorial process that is peer reviewed or refereed. They publish long articles (essays that are ordinarily at least 10 pages), which may also inlcude an abstract. Scholarly journals often publish essay-length scholarly book reviews, which include citations to other sources.
How often are academic journals published?
Scholarly journals are published relatively infrequently, usually quarterly (once every 3 months), semi-annually (twice a year), or annually (once a year).
What is a source?
Sources written for a broad readership. Sources that are advocacy or opinion-based. Keep in mind that opinion-based articles, scholarly news, and letters to the editor get published in scholarly journals alongside scholarly articles. Sources that lack references to other sources.
What is the purpose of images in a publication?
Images may constitute a large portion of such publications, with text used to illustrate, contextualize, critique, or explicate the visual component
What is the intended audience of a journal?
The intended audience is composed of researchers, scholars, academics, and other informed or specialized readership. Scholarly and academic journals, which are periodic publications that contain articles, have additional characteristics, such as: An editorial process that is peer reviewed or refereed.
Why are scholarly sources juried?
In addition, scholarly sources are juried either through peer review or the referee process to determine that the research meets a standard of accuracy, originality, and scholarly integrity.
What is the purpose of academic sources?
Scholarly or Academic sources: The purpose of Scholarly or Academic sources is to share information within the subject field and they are based on original research and experimentation. They are suitable for academics, and are supported by a system of learning and study. They are less widely circulated than popular sources ...
What are popular sources?
Popular sources: are widely available, usually cheaper to acquire, and can be understood by almost every person with basic literacy skills. They tend to promulgate known ideas and theories. These works may be professionally edited, but do not go through a jury process.
Do academic peers know the author of a book?
In other words, the academic peers conducting the review do not know the name of the work's author. In addition, it is often the case that the reviewers' names are not made known to the author. This ensures that the work is judged solely on its own merit rather than the author's reputation.
Is every article published in a scholarly journal peer reviewed?
Note: Not every article published in a scholarly journal is peer-reviewed. Book reviews, letters to the editor, etc. are not peer-reviewed.

What Qualifies as A Scholarly Source?
- At its simplest, “a scholarly source is material written by scholars for scholars,” said Anaya Jones, eLearning librarian at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). Scholars have advanced degrees and conduct research to advance their respective academic field. Their work is intended to share knowledge, not to sell newspapers, generate clicks or m...
What Is An Example of A Scholarly Source?
- Written material that can be used as source material generally falls into two categories: popular and scholarly. Popular material is intended to inform or entertain the public. This may include newspapers, magazines, websites, and blogs. Scholarly material, on the other hand, is typically made up of research studies and journal articles targeted to help advance knowledge in a partic…
So, How Do You Know If A Source Is Scholarly?
- If an article is published in a peer-reviewed journal, it’s scholarly. If an article is published in an academic journal that is not peer-reviewed, it may be scholarly, but it may not. It’s important to look for clues and use your judgement as a scholar to figure out the difference. First, identify the author. From there you can make an informed guess about the audience. If the piece is written b…
What Are Some Characteristics of A Scholarly Source?
- Scholarly sources “tend to be fairly lengthy, with high-level language specific to the discipline,” said Jones. This can “include jargon that may not make sense to people outside that discipline even though they’re scholars themselves.” Scholarly sources generally include a recognizable structure, including presenting methods, results and analysis. There are also specific ways to cit…