This document discusses the differences between scholarly and popular sources and provides guidance on evaluating sources using the CRAAP test. It defines scholarly sources as those written by experts in a field for other experts or students studying the field, while popular sources are written for general entertainment without requiring expertise. Popular sources may have ads, illustrations and non-expert authors, while scholarly sources have few ads, include references and citations, and are authored by experts. The document advises using popular sources for background and scholarly sources for research papers, and evaluates sources based on currency, relevance, authority, accuracy and purpose using the CRAAP test.

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