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POS 450: Senior Seminar

Why do you need scholarly articles?

Scholarly or Peer-Reviewed journals contain literature that is written by experts in a particular field of study. 

The articles often contain reports on original research studies, literature reviews and more. 

Such articles are essential when writing for undergraduate courses, dissertations, thesis, grant proposals, etc.

Using scholarly research for your papers or speeches provides the backing of experts, which can make your argument stronger.

Peer-Reviewed, Academic, Scholarly--what's the difference

Peer-Reviewed Journals

When it comes to scholarly journals, the terms peer-reviewed and refereed are interchangable.  Before publication, peer-reviewed/refereed journals go through a highly critical and rigorous review process by other scholars in the author's field or specialty.  This review process ensures that the content being published is first being evaluated by the author's peers and also, reflect a solid scholarship in their fields of study.

Scholarly Journals

Although peer-reviewed journals are always scholarly in nature, scholarly journals are not always peer-reviewed.  Scholarly journals are research focused, reporting results of original research and experimentation. They are heavily cited in the form of either footnotes or bibliographies, and written by, and addressed to, experts in a discipline. However, whereas peer-reviewed journals require a strict "peer-approval" for publishing, a scholarly journal that is not peer-reviewed only requires the approval of an editorial board.

Peer Review in 3 Minutes

*Courtesy of North Carolina State University Libraries

Comparing Journals

CHARACTERISTICS

   Scholarly

   Trade

   Popular

 

 

 

 

 

Purpose

To report results of original research and experimentation

To report industry/trade trends, products, and news

To report current events, opinions, and general information

Look

Plain, serious, lengthy articles, may contain charts and graphs to support findings

Glossy, commercial, contains color illustrations/photos, and industry/trade related advertisements

Glossy, attractive, contains color illustrations/photos, and everyday product advertisements

Author

Scholars and experts in field of study/discipline

Industry specialists or staff writers

Journalists/reporters, staff or freelance writers

Audience

Scholars in academic and discipline related fields, researchers, students

Members or those with interest in a particular industry or trade

Anyone

Language

Academic and technical

Jargon of the industry

Non-technical, written in a language for anyone to understand

Documentation

Heavily cited with footnotes or bibliography

Occasionally contain cited sources in the form of footnotes or bibliographies

Sources are rarely cited, although references may be mentioned in text

Evaluate Article Resources

Peer reviewers are harsh