How to Evaluate Your Search:
Should I use more scholarly resources? More popular resources?
Depending on your purpose, you may need more scholarly or more popular resources. 
Also see the tutorial called, "Identifying Resources."
 
Use scholarly journals when you need...   Use professional/trade journals when you need...   Use popular periodicals or magazines/newspapers 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
  • 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 publication staff writers
  • general information on a topic in which no expertise is required 
  • current news stories
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About This tutorial
Please direct questions to Instructional Programs
Last updated 07/24/02