Popular or general magazines and newspapers are good sources for basic articles to begin learning about a topic area. These articles are usually written to give non-scientists some background information on a topic in easily understood terms. However, as you develop your research project, you will need to find peer-reviewed, scholarly articles that have been written by experts for other experts to pass the highest academic standards for scientific research. The following provides some guidance on what types of publications would be considered scholarly vs. popular and how you can tell the difference:
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Remember that you will need to find articles from scholarly journals for your research. The following explains the difference between the three main types of journals that you may come across as you search:
Popular Magazines
Articles are written by a staff writer or journalist for the general public.
Includes glossy pictures and ads. Reference lists are rare.
Trade Journals
Articles about current news and trends in a specific industry.
Written by someone with knowledge of the field for other practitioners.
Includes ads targeted to the field. Not peer-reviewed.
Scholarly Journals
In-depth primary account of researchers' findings. Credentials are provided. Written for scholars, researchers and students.
Only includes informational graphs, charts, and tables.
Peer-reviewed by experts in the field.
References are required and everything is verifiable.