To get started watch the video below, and for more information about evaluating sources, see the Evaluating Information Sources Guide.
|
|
||
|
Examples |
Scholarly Journals Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) |
Popular Magazines Time |
|
|
||
| Authors | Researchers Professors Scholars Professionals who are usually experts in narrow fields |
Journalists Lay people Anonymous |
|
|
||
| References | Includes references, bibliographies or footnotes | Rarely includes references, bibliographies or footnotes |
|
|
||
| Edited by? | Submitted articles are subjected to a rigorous peer-review process by researchers, professionals and/or students of the field | Submitted articles may be reviewed by journalists and lay people |
|
|
||
| Language | Specialized language of the discipline is used Often includes tabulated data, graphs and diagrams |
Language is non-technical |
|
|
||
| Contents | Always includes an abstract Lengthy articles of original research In-depth analysis of topic Substantial book reviews |
Shorter articles of general interest Coverage of current events/news Some brief book reviews |
|
|
||
| Presentation and Graphics |
Less flashy, more "serious" in appearance Advertisements are rare (an exception is medical journals) Articles are often divided into explicitly named (and sometimes numbered) sections |
More eye-catching appearance Many pictures Many advertisements |
|
|
||
| Where Indexed? |
Found in specialized indexes such as Anthropological Index Georef Medline |
Found in general periodical indexes such as Academic Search Elite Canadian Periodical Index Reader's Guide Abstracts (But keep in mind that general periodical indexes also include scholarly materials) |
|
|
||