1.
Scholarly vs. Popular
Sources and CRAAP
Anna Yang, Science Librarian
University Library

2.
Learning Outcomes
After this presentation, you’ll learn:
• How to define scholarly sources
• How to define popular sources
• Differentiate between popular and scholarly sources
• Evaluate sources using the CRAAP test

3.
Before We Get Started….

4.
Defined
Scholarly
A scholarly source is one in
which the content is written by
experts in a particular field of
study. The target audience are
usually other experts in the
field, as well as students who
are studying the field.
Popular
Popular sources are written for a
general audience, usually for
entertainment. Popular sources
don’t require expertise in the
field to understand the
information.

5.
Popular Sources
Might have:
• Many ads
• Photographs or illustrations
• May not include references or citations
• Includes authors, journalists or
freelance writers
Examples:
• Magazines
• Social Media
• Newspapers
Audrey Hepburn TIME Magazine. 1953.

6.
Scholarly Sources
Might have:
• Few to no ads
• Charts and graphs
• Includes references, notes, and
cited works
• Include authors with affiliations
Examples:
• Academic Journals
• Peer-reviewed articles

7.
Why are Popular Sources Published?
• To entertain
• To express an opinion
• To inform a broad audience

8.
Why are Scholarly Sources Published?
• To report on research
• To review and critique previous research
• To contribute to the scholarly conversation

9.
When Should You Use Popular Sources?
• When you know nothing about your topic
• To build a background for your topic
• When your professor explicitly says you can

10.
When Should You Use Scholarly Sources?
• To support an argument in a research paper
• When you want to delve deeper into a topic of interest
• To stay up to date with current research on your topic

11.
Group Activity 1
• Go to the research guide for this class
https://libguides.scu.edu/ctw1_swenson

12.
Oh CRAAP - Video
• https://youtu.be/2U3dkTLjuvE

13.
Things to Consider
• C - Currency: When was the information published or posted? Is it
current or did it get published more than 10 years ago?
• R - Relevancy: Does the information relate to your topic or answer
your question?
• A - Authority: Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor? Is the
author qualified to write on the topic?
• A - Accuracy: Is the information supported by evidence or facts?
• P - Purpose: What is the purpose of the information? Is it to
inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade?

14.
Pair Activity 2
• Go to the research guide for this course
• https://libguides.scu.edu/ctw1_swenson

15.
Contact
Anna Yang, Science Librarian
ayang3@scu.edu