1. Created by: Sarah Sifers and Cheryl Radeloff
Academic Sources
Created by: Sarah Sifers and Cheryl Radeloff
Funded by: Minnesota State University, Mankato College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

2. Academic vs. Non-academic Periodicals
Journals
Somber
Articles have long, dry titles
Bibliographies
Abstract
Authors have degrees and institutional affiliations after name
Conference proceedings, posters
Indicate conference at which presented
Non-academic
Magazines
Flashy/glossy
Articles have provocative titles
No bibliography
No abstract
Authors may not have degrees or affiliation after names
Newspapers
Eye-catching titles
Concise writing

3. Journal
Magazine

4. Academic vs. Non-academic Books
Textbooks
Authors list degrees and institutional affiliation
Cover, text, and title not eye-catching
Edited volume
Book with chapters written by different authors and compiled by an editor
Monographs
Essay or book length paper on a specific, limited topic
Theses and dissertations
Identified as a thesis or dissertation on the title page
Biographies/autobiographies
Credentials of biographer
Press is academic
Non-academic
Fiction
Not based on fact—novels, poetry, etc.
Non-fiction popular media
Authors typically will not list degree and affiliation
Covers/titles tend to be flashy
Self published

5. Academic
Non-academic

6. Academic vs. Non-academic Websites
Published by government organizations
Proceedings from professional conferences
Official sites of recognized professional organizations
Non-academic
Most websites
Commercial
Activist
Spoof pages
Blogs
Discussion boards

7. Academic Non-academic

8. Additional Resources http://www.lib.mnsu.edu/lib/scol-jou.html
Ask a reference librarian