Scholarly vs Popular
What is a Scholarly Article?
- Written by researchers or scholars, considered experts
- Contains original research and analysis
- Written for other experts
- Goal is to add new knowledge and communicate ideas
- Uses discipline specific or technical language
- Contains a bibliography
- Almost always has an abstract, methods section, and/or literature review
- May be peer-reviewed
Scholarly vs Popular
- Scholarly:
- original research, written by researchers, substantial bibliography, peer reviewed
- Popular:
- based on original research, written by magazine staff, no bibliography, no peer review
- Grey or trade:
- industry specific, written by practitioners or trade journalists, may have footnotes or bibliography, rarely peer reviewed
- All three have a purpose to readers!
Publication Cycle
The Scientific Literature is based on a foundation of Authority
It is how Science works - not just because one expert says so - but because:
- It is documented
- It is done in dialog
- With other experts
- With the info that came before and is happening along side it
- With peer review
- It is vetted
