Types of Sources
Why does it matter?
- In your research project or paper, you need to show how your ideas relate to those of others.
- In most cases, you'll want to use articles from scholarly journals to support your arguments because these are written by experts, include references you can consult, and have been carefully edited.
- Sometimes, depending on your topic, you'll need to use articles from popular magazines or professional / trade magazines. Be sure to check with your professor that the sources you're using are acceptable for the assignment's requirements.
- Finally, whatever sources you use, evaluate them carefully: Does the author show bias and does it affect his/her conclusions? Is the information accurate? Does the author support his/her arguments with credible evidence?
A Quick Comparison
| Scholarly Journals | Professional / Trade Magazines | Popular Magazines | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Example |  |
 |
 |
| Authors |
Written by experts or specialists, often PhDs Unpaid |
Written by individuals working in a field, sales representatives, or by staff writers with particular expertise Paid |
Written by non-specialists, journalists, staff writers, or freelancers Paid |
| Purpose | Explore theories, introduce new ideas, present research findings, and add to the body of research in a particular discipline | Discuss practical application, cover news in the field, present brief reports on research, and/or offer opinions about trends, events, and industry/forecasts | Cover news and current events in a field; report on news of general interest; write profiles of people, places, or events; and express political opinions |
| Audience | Academics and professionals | Individuals in the field or industry | General readers |
| Editorial Review |
Articles often go through a peer review process: independent experts evaluate the article before it's published Unpaid |
Articles are reviewed by an editor, but not by a panel of experts Paid |
Articles are reviewed by an editor, but not by a panel of experts Paid |
| References / Works Cited | Articles have extensive footnotes and/or bibliographies | Articles may or may not mention sources in the text | Articles may or may not mention sources in the text |
| Ads / Illustrations | Minimal advertising, graphics, or illustrations unless relevant to the article (for example, images in art journals or charts in a scientific article) | May include profession- or trade specific advertisements; visual material may be to convey information or for aesthetic purposes | Extensive advertising, lavish photos, colorful cover to market the magazine |
| Time to Publication | 3 to 6+ months | Within weeks / months | Within weeks / months |
| Additional Examples | Journal of Politics, Philosophical Quarterly, World Politics, Human Biology, Victorian Studies, Nature | Advertising Age, Beverage Industry, Film Comment, Publishers Weekly, Psychology Today, PC Magazine | Time, Newsweek, Vogue, National Geographic, The New Yorker, Atlantic Monthly, Cook's Illustrated |
What if I need help?
If you need assistance working with sources, please reach out to the library for help.
