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The Research Process

A guide to performing research at NETC Library

Scholarly articles versus trade journals: What’s the difference?

Trade journals are written specifically for practitioners by others who are knowledgeable in the field. They’re a valuable source for current trends, best practices, lessons learned and much more. However, they don’t undergo a peer-review process nor are they written or structured in a way designed to present and defend new, original research for the profession.

Scholarly articles have an authority and a credibility that other sources do not have. They are written by experts for experts and students in the field.

Not all scholarly sources are published in journals; books, dissertations and theses, white papers, and reports by think tanks and non-governmental organizations can also be considered scholarly.

Articles in peer-reviewed or scholarly journals almost always report on original research. Scholarly articles generally contain the following elements:

  • Author(s) credentials or academic affiliation
  • Abstract
  • Research methodology
  • Conclusion or research results
  • References
  • Bibliography

Not all scholarly articles are peer reviewed

Peer review refers to a  process where other scholars in the author’s field critically assess an article before it is accepted for publication. These peer reviewers may send the article back for revisions or they may reject the article entirely.

Not all scholarly journals are peer reviewed, although the terms "scholarly articles" and "peer review" are often used interchangeably or lumped together as "scholarly/peer review journals."

The library catalog does not distinguish between peer reviewed and scholarly articles. Neither does EBSCO.

In order to ensure that a reference found from either repository is peer reviewed, go to the journal's website and read its editorial policies. Unless it specifically mentions peer review, it likely is NOT peer reviewed.

Evaluating sources: The acronyms

The CRAAP test

Currency

  • When was the information published or posted?
  • Has the site been revised or updated?
  • Is the information current or out-of-date for your topic?
  • Are the links functional?

Relevance

  • Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
  • Who is the intended audience?

Authority

  • Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
  • Are the author’s credentials or organizational affiliations given?
  • What are the author’s credentials and/or qualifications to write on the topic?
  • Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address?

Accuracy

  • Is the information supported by evidence?
  • Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
  • Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
  • Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors?

Purpose

  • Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases?
  • Is the author selling something?
  • Does the author make his or her intentions or purpose clear?
  • Is the information provided factual? Can it be verified?
  • Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?

 

 

S.I.F.T.

STOP: Ask yourself how well do you know this information source? Do I know this website? Do I know this information source? Do I know its reputation?

INVESTIGATE: Google the resource. Hover.

FIND BETTER (or different) COVERAGE: See what other information is available on the topic, use fact-checking sites, or do a reverse image search.

TRACE: Click on the links provided, check out its bibliography or footnotes, look at the context of the claims or quotes.