This document discusses the differences between popular and scholarly sources. Popular sources include magazines and newspapers, are written for a general audience by journalists rather than experts, and do not contain references. Scholarly sources include academic journals, are written by experts and approved by peer review, often contain original research, and cite other works. Both types of sources can be useful, with popular sources good for initial understanding and scholarly sources preferable for advanced coursework. The document encourages students who have questions to contact the St. Catherine University Library for assistance.

1. 2. Popular & Scholarly Sources
St. Catherine University Library

2. When you search the library databases, you
will find two different types of articles-
Popular and Scholarly.

3. Popular sources =
magazines and newspapers
Popular articles share the following characteristics. They are …
• written by a journalist (not an expert in the subject),
• aimed at a general audience, and
• do not contain references.

4. As a St. Kate’s student, you have
Scholarly sources=
academic journals
Scholarly articles share the following characteristics. They are…
• written by experts,
• approved by other experts (through the peer-review system),
• often contain original research, and
• contain citations and references.

5. Both can be useful
 Popular sources can be useful to learn about a subject you
are unfamiliar with or when need very recent information.
 Scholarly sources are preferable for upper level courses and
when you are writing about a topic you are familiar with.

6. Confused? Have questions?
St. Catherine University Library
• Set up an appointment with a librarian here
• Call the reference desk at the St. Paul campus
library at 651-690-6652

7. St. Catherine University Library
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