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Scholarly and Popular Sources
Identifying Scholarly/Professional Articles
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Professional/Scholarly |
Popular |
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Look at the Articles: 1. May have abstract at beginning. |
Look at the Articles: 1. No abstract at the beginning. |
| 2. Authors' credentials or research institution may be listed. | 2. Author's credentials or research institutions are not listed. |
| 3. Has a list of references or bibliography at the end. | 3. No references or bibliography at the end. |
| 4. Articles have a very serious tone. | 4. Articles may be written in a chatty or easy-to-read style. |
| 5. If images are included, they serve to support the research in the article. | 5. Images are used to draw attention, but don't provide substantial supporting material. |
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Look at the Citation: 6. May have journal or bulletin in the periodical title. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists |
Look at the Citation: 6. May have magazine or popular words in periodical title. Mother Jones |
| 7. Article titles are longer and research-sounding, nothing catchy. | 7. Article titles may be short, may include catchy phrases or puns. |
| 8. Articles frequently have more than one author. | 8. Articles are often staff-written. |
| 9. Articles are longer – more than three pages. | 9. Articles are shorter, usually under three pages. |
| 10. Issued less often; quarterly, semi-annually or monthly. | 10. Issued often – weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. |
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Look at the Periodicals: 11. Few or no illustrations; little color. |
Look at the Periodicals: 11. Heavily illustrated, with color. |
| 12. No advertising. | 12. Has advertisements. |
| 13. Matte paper. | 13. Glossy Paper. |
| 14. Lists editorial board members on inside pages. | 14. Uses eye-catching typography and layout. |
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Finally: 15. Not something you'd find on a newsstand. |
Finally: 15. Something you may find on a newsstand. |
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Created and Updated
Created by M. Keefe, 12/00
Revised by A. Izenstark, 6/05, 5/10, 6/11