Scholarly vs Popular articles

Journals articles include the latest research in the field. To find articles, you need to start with a research database.  Each will allow you to search hundreds or even thousands of journals at once by searching for keywords relevant to your topic. Databases can have BOTH scholarly and non-scholarly articles.
 

 

Scholarly (peer-reviewed, refereed, empirical)

Non-scholarly (popular)

Audience

academic readers

general audience

Author

researchers, experts, specialists

journalists, free-lance writers, generalists

Vocabulary

professional jargon; may be difficult to read

common; easy to understand

Structure

specific structure (e.g. abstract, methodology, data, results, conclusion, references)

structured like a story; can look glossy with pictures and ads; comparatively shorter

Sources

long list of bibliography, references, footnotes

no bibliography or references listed
Examples Ethnic and Racial Studies; Gender & Society; International Migration Review; American Journal of Public Health; Latin American Perspectives Time; Newsweek; Business Week;
US News & World Report; New York Times; Christian Science Monitor


Some databases provide a 'peer-reviewed' or 'scholarly only' limit function that can narrow the results, but will still bring back non-scholarly materials that were published in a scholarly journal (e.g., editorials, letters to the editor, book reviews.) When in doubt, ask a librarian!

 

Finding articles

Journals articles include the latest research in the field. To find articles, you need to start with a research database.  Each will allow you to search hundreds or even thousands of journals at once by searching for keywords relevant to your topic.

The following databases are useful for this class. Try searching for keywords related to your topic:

Most Useful

Sociological Abstracts
Use 'Thesaurus Search' to find descriptors for your topic.
Click 'Journal articles only' for scholarly articles.

ERIC
Good source for education topics. Use 'Thesaurus Search' to find descriptors for your topic.
Click 'Journal articles only' for scholarly articles.

JSTOR
Use the 'Advanced Search' to limit disciplines and article type.

Academic Search Premier
Limit your results by clicking 'Scholarly/Peer Reviewed'


Also Useful


          PAIS
          Search for political and international topics

CQ Researcher
Good for 'sides' of a hot topic


NOTE: Depending on your topic, other databases might be more relevant.
You can choose a database by subject.



Think you can find all this stuff on the Internet? Not for free!

See an article you want in one of these databases?

  1. Look for "Full Text" in pdf PDF, HTML Full TextHTML, Linked Full TextLinked or  Check SFX for Availability
  2. If all else fails, fill out an Interlibrary Loan article request form. You'll get it within 5-10 days for FREE.
  3. Or, any time you need help, ask a librarian!

 

In-class Activity - Database Comparison

Each group will search a specific database for articles related to their topic. Groups will explore the databases and complete their portion of the matrix.

     Academic Search Premier

     ScienceDirect

     CQ Researcher

     Lexis Nexis Academic

     Sociological Abstracts

     ProQuest Direct