Scholarly vs. Popular
Scholarly Articles (Journals)
- Are written by and for scholars or researchers (ex.: historians, doctors, biologists.)
- Include a list of references, or works cited page.
- Are often refereed or peer reviewed (reviewed by editors and/or other experts before publication).
Popular Articles (Magazines & Newspapers)
- Are written by journalists or freelance writers for a general audience.
- Rarely provide references.
- Written for the general public.
The terms Refereed, Peer Reviewed, Academic, and Scholarly are often used interchangeably.
To be published in a peer reviewed (or refereed) journal, the article must be read and approved by other scholars in that field of study. For more on how to distinguish a scholarly journal from a popular magazine, see the Sawyer Library guide: Peer Review and Primary Literature: An Introduction.