Scholarly Resources: How to Find and Why it Matters, Cornette Library

Finding Scholarly Articles

Other Sources for Scholarly Resources

Look for publications from a professional organization.
Use databases such as JSTOR that contain only scholarly sources.
Use databases such as Academic Search Complete or other EBSCO databases that allow you to choose "peer-reviewed journals".
See whether Ulrich's Periodicals Directory indicates that it is a Refereed Journal.
Evaluate print journals and journals in other databases using the criteria above.

Why does it matter?

Being able to distinguish between journals (scholarly sources) and magazines (non-scholarly sources) is important.

Your instructor may require "only scholarly sources"
Various
Citation
styles treat journals and magazines differently
Content in a journal is considered more authoritative than a magazine
Peer-reviewed journals are considered the most authoritative sources

Check with your instructor if you are not sure of the nature of a source.

Criteria and Examples

These criteria are guidelines. Some publications won't exactly match this list. If a publication matches MOST of the criteria for a type, that is probably the correct placement.
	Journals	Magazines
Physical format and appearance	Black and white text, simple fonts Few color photographs Non-glossy paper "Journal" often part of title (Ladies Home Journal is an obvious exception!)	Varied fonts, colored highlights in text Lots of color photographs Glossy paper Titles tend to be less scholarly
Content	Generally long articles Letters to editor may be several pages long Few ads, which are aimed at professionals in the field	Articles vary in length Letters to editor generally short Lots of colorful ads, aimed at the general public
Typical Authors	Scholars or experts in the field Authors are always identified	Staff or free-lance writers Authors may not be identified
Sourcing	Always identify sources in some way May use footnotes, parenthetical references, reference list, or bibliography	Often don't identify sources Sources may be discussed as part of narrative structure
Review Process	Editor will be expert in the field Articles may be checked by other experts before publication ("peer review")	Editor has publication background Articles only reviewed in-house
Audience	Aimed at scholars in the field	Aimed at general public or hobbyists
Examples	Political Behavior Journal of Sport Management American Historical Review Plant Physiology	Time, U.S. News & World Report Sports Illustrated Vogue, Cosmopolitan Better Homes & Gardens