2. Scholarly vs Popular – what is the difference?
Scholarly Popular
Scholarly sources have been written for the Popular articles are generally written for the
purpose of research. purpose of entertainment, providing basic
information, or delivering the news.
They have been written by researchers and
professionals in a particular field of study. They have been written by journalist.
These types of sources usually analyze the Popular resources are usually more personal
topic from different, academic than Scholarly sources and are often story
perspectives. driven.
These sources usually contain extensive These resources are typically published in
footnotes and bibliographies. newspapers, magazines, and non-academic
books.
Most often available through library
databases. These resources typically do not have
footnotes, and only occasionally have
bibliographies.
Scholarly sources are written with other
researchers as the audience.
Popular sources are written with the general
population as the audience.
3. Scholarly vs Popular – why does it matter?
Both Scholarly and Popular sources are useful in academic research.
Scholarly sources allow you to see how a certain topic has been
analyzed in the academic community.
You are able to learn about the topic from experts who have
researched the topic extensively and thoroughly.
Popular sources allow you to see how a certain topic or event has
impacted the local community or population.
It is good to have a balance of sources in your final product. This
allows you to make the connection in your paper between the
academic and the more personal.
