Key Difference – Scholarly vs Popular Sources
When searching for information for research and educational purposes, we often rely on scholarly and popular sources. These two forms have several differences. Scholarly sources refer to articles, journals, books, and other publications written by experts in a particular field. In contrast, popular sources refer to publications such as newspapers and magazines written by journalists and professional writers. The main difference between scholarly and popular sources is that scholarly sources are accurate, reliable, and peer-reviewed, while popular sources may not always be as reliable.
Key Takeaways
- Scholarly sources are written by experts in a particular field and include articles, journals, books, and other publications.
- Popular sources are written by journalists and professional writers and include newspapers and magazines.
- Scholarly sources are accurate, reliable, and peer-reviewed, whereas popular sources may not always be as reliable.
What are Scholarly Sources?
Scholarly sources include articles, journals, books, and other publications written by experts in a field, such as professors, researchers, and scholars. These documents tend to be more original and have a clear scientific basis. Scholarly sources are particularly beneficial to those in a specific discipline, as they provide access to specialized literature.
These documents use technical language and subject-specific jargon. The articles are very specific and include many citations in the form of references and footnotes. Most scholarly sources are published by university presses and scholarly societies.
What are Popular Sources?
Popular sources refer to publications such as newspapers and magazines, written by journalists and professional writers. These sources use simple language, as they are aimed at a general audience. Popular sources often do not include many citations, which can raise questions about their reliability.
Popular sources can be useful for gaining a general understanding of a subject but usually do not provide in-depth analysis. These sources are published by commercial publishers and often feature many pictures and advertisements. They may also express the individual opinions of the writer.
What is the difference between Scholarly and Popular Sources?
- Language: Scholarly sources use academic writing and field-related jargon, while popular sources use simple language.
- Author: Scholarly sources are authored by experts in the field, while popular sources are authored by journalists and professional writers.
- Examples: Journals, academic articles, and research publications are examples of scholarly sources, while newspapers and magazines are examples of popular sources.
- Citation: Scholarly sources clearly cite their sources, while popular sources may not always include citations, leading to lower reliability.
