Popular vs. Scholarly - A Chart
This chart may help you understand the difference between an article from a popular source (like a magazine) as opposed to an article from a scholarly/academic/peer-reviewed source (like a journal).
Scholarly vs Non-Scholarly Resources
Instructors often ask that students use only scholarly resources for their research.
Scholarly (peer-reviewed) sources include books and articles published in scholarly journals, encyclopedias, and books.
- These sources are reviewed by a panel of experts in that particular field, and are often published by a professional association or a university press.
- The experts ensure the information published is credible before accepting it for publication.
Non-Scholarly sources include websites, magazines, newspapers, and books that do not undergo any expert review prior to publishing.
Research Articles & Where to Find Them
Research articles are based on someone's research on a very specific topic or area of study. They are found in publications called scholarly, academic or peer-reviewed journals. You won't find these journals in the supermarket or your local convenience store, so it's important that you use the PCC Library to find them. I promise it will make your life easier!