Using Scholarly Versus Popular Resources

Depending on your purpose, you may need more scholarly or more popular resources. The table below shows you when you should use one type versus another.

 
Use scholarly journals when you need...   Use professional/trade journals when you need...   Use popular periodicals or magazines when you need...
         
~ articles written by researchers or experts in the field.
~ documented sources.
~ research findings, reports, or methodologies.
~ reliable information reviewed by scholars.		   ~ articles written by members of the trade or profession or experts in the field.
~ at least some documented sources.
~ information on the trends, standards, or new technologies in the trade or profession.
~ reliable information reviewed by an editorial board.		   ~ articles written for the general public by the periodical staff writers.
~ general information on a topic in which no expertise is required.
~ current news stories.