Scholarly sources are most commonly referred to as scholarly journals, peer-reviewed journals, or academic journals. These types of journals include collections of articles written by academic researchers and others who are considered "experts" in their fields of work. These articles help provide new knowledge or new perspectives of looking at an issue or situation. Journals are often associated with universities or professional membership organizations of scholars and researchers. Prior to being published, the articles are submitted to other experts, who are reviewers for the publication, who decide whether the article will be accepted-- this process is called "peer review".
Other examples of scholarly sources include: books, periodicals, and reports from researchers (such as government agencies).
Search these databases if you're looking for academic research articles. Visit Baruch's full list of databases or CUNY's database list.
How Do Scholarly Journals Differ from Popular Sources?
Popular sources are general interest publications like newspapers and magazines that are generally consumed by a wider audience.
Newspapers are records of daily events when they happen. The authors, mainly journalists, are writing under deadline pressures, and may be employed by the publication, or they are being paid by the publication to write the article. General interest publications may be daily, or weekly, or monthly, and their articles are also written by journalists, who are knowledgeable in their areas. Usually, these types of articles don't contain references. Examples of newspapers include New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Chicago Tribune.
Magazines are also geared toward a general audience and are a common popular source. They have relatively short articles, but are not as brief as newspaper articles. Topics that are covered include current events; general interest articles, to inform, entertain, or elicit an emotional response. Examples: New Yorker, Time, the Atlantic Monthly.
What is a primary source?
A primary source is a first person account of an event. It can refer to original documents, research, or physical objects, and can include (but is not limited to) diaries, speeches, letters, newspapers, photographs, and more.
Generally, scholarly sources use these things to summarize, interpret, review, or criticize existing events or works.
Click here to learn more about what primary sources are and what resources we have available at Baruch!
