1. ~and then the differences between the two!
How do you tell the difference between a scholarly article and a popular article? Your professor says that you have to have scholarly journal articles for your research project.
Let’s look at what scholarly journals are and what popular magazines are
~and then the differences between the two!

2. Scholarly Journals Definitions
Journal articles that are written by experts or authorities in a professional or academic field to report their research or scholarly opinion of a topic.  
Often called peer reviewed or refereed because referees in the subject area review and evaluate the article before accepting it for publication.
When to use an article from a scholarly journal?
- For doing most college research
- For finding out what has been researched and studied on your topic

3. When to use an article from a popular magazine:
Magazines
Definition:
A magazine is a periodical written for the general public to inform and entertain. This is what you buy in the grocery store, drug store, etc.
Often referred to as popular magazines.
When to use an article from a popular magazine:
for a general understanding of a topic
for information on popular culture and hot topics
for general articles on topics written for the general
public for information or entertainment

4. Scholarly articles vs. Popular articles ~ the differences:
Authors:
Scholarly – experts or authorities in professional or academic fields
Popular – staff or freelance writers, often unsigned
Purpose:
Scholarly – to report original research and research findings
Popular – to entertain or inform in a general way; not original research

5. Scholarly articles vs. Popular articles ~ the differences
Intended Audience:
Scholarly – scholars, researchers, practitioners in an academic or professional field
Popular – general audience
Language:
Scholarly – technical jargon of the subject area
Popular – simple language that anyone could read

6. Scholarly articles vs. Popular articles ~ the differences:
Documentation of sources used:
Scholarly – includes references and bibliography of resources used
Popular – Does not give references to where information was obtained but may mention research or researcher’s findings
Editing:
Scholarly – goes through a peer review process before accepted for publication and often referred to as peer reviewed or refereed.
Popular – edited by magazine editors for readability and suitability for the magazine’s purpose

7. Scholarly articles vs. Popular articles ~ the differences
Illustrations:
Scholarly – sparsely illustrated with charts, diagrams or appropriate photographs related to the research and has advertisements that appeal to professionals in the field
Popular – heavily illustrated with glossy covers and pictures and contains a lot of advertisements for the general public
So, how can you tell whether an article is scholarly or popular in a database?

8. Most databases will give you the option of limiting your search to: Peer reviewed
For example, in InfoTrac OneFile this is how you limit to peer reviewed articles:

9. Check the box for limiting to peer reviewed publications
Check the box for limiting to peer reviewed publications. The database will limit the search for you.

10. Results of InfoTrac search:

11. This is a peer-reviewed search in PsycINFO, an Ebsco database:

12. Any questions? Ask a Librarian!
Results of the PsycINFO search:
Any questions? Ask a Librarian!