What does "scholarly" mean?
When conducting research, it is important to know the differences between academic journal articles and magazine articles.
- Academic journal articles are referred to as "scholarly." These articles peer-reviewed or evaluated by a panel of experts before publication.
- Magazine and news articles are considered "popular." Articles written by journalists are reviewed by an editor, but not by a panel of experts.
- Trade or professional magazines or journals are written for professionals in an industry but are not strictly research related. These are important for members of the profession in order to keep up with industry news and trends. They may contain data or other information useful for research.
Adapted from Scholarly and Popular Materials (NCSU Libraries)
Comparison Chart from NCSU Libraries
| Criteria | Scholarly Journal | Popular Magazine | Trade Magazine/Journal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sample Cover |  |
 |
 |
| Audience | Academics and professionals | General public | People in the business |
| Authors | Experts or specialists (PhD). Unpaid. | Journalists, staff writers, or freelance writers. Paid. | Staff writers, industry specialists, or vendor representatives. Paid. |
| Editorial Review | Journal editorial board and peer reviewers. Unpaid. | Professional editors. Paid. | Professional editors. Paid. |
| References / Works Cited | Almost always | Rarely | Sometimes |
Databases vs. Websites
It is fine to Google your topic and explore the search results. Be sure to use the sources authored by someone who has expertise in the field or has relevant evidence to support his/her claims made in the source. Not sure what the differences are between a database and a website?
Databases
- Paid for by the library
- Cannot be searched in Google
- Includes sources written by professors, scholars, journalists, "smart people", etc.
- Authority of information is verified by experts.
Websites
- Access is free. No one is paying for the content.
- Anyone can publish a website. The information included might not verified by anyone.
- Can be searched in a variety of search engines, including Google.
- Must examine with a critical eye!
Sourced from Lee High School Library