Week 2 - Discussion Forum 1

Directions: Review this tip sheet which provides details on the characteristics of popular vs scholarly sources. This tip sheet will help you to complete the Source Type Analysis Template.

Scholarly Popular

Author • Scholars

• Researchers

• Professionals in the discipline

• Journalists

• Professional writers

• Non-experts with interest in the discipline

Source • Academic journals • Newspapers

• Magazines

• Websites

• Blogs

Length • Usually long • Usually short

Language • Academic language

• Professional

• Vocabulary (jargon)

• Everyday language that is easily understood by the

general public

Audience • Scholars

• Researchers

• Professionals in the discipline

• General public

Content • Narrowly focuses on one aspect of the main

topic to provide an in-depth explanation

• Broadly focuses on the topic to give an overview

Citations/

References

• Full citations throughout the article for

credible (usually scholarly) sources

• Many references at the end of the article

• Rarely uses citations or offers references for sources

• Supporting sources may be discussed in the text of

the source

• Online sources may link to supporting sources

• Newspaper and magazine articles may include

interviews

Images • Graphs, tables, mathematical formulas, and

occasional photos and illustrations to

demonstrate concepts discussed in the article

• Colorful photos and illustrations

• Advertising

Purpose • Explaining new research • Entertainment

• General information

• Persuasion

• Sales

Week 2: Scholarly vs Popular Sources Tip Sheet