Success Academy Library Resources

Evaluate your sources

When you find a source, ask yourself the questions below to make sure it's good to use in your project.

Characteristics of a scholarly source

Often, an assignment will require the use of "scholarly" or "peer-reviewed" sources. Most databases let you select only scholarly (or peer reviewed) journals. In addition to that, look for the following characteristics:

• Communicate the results of research in the field of study covered by the journal.
• Reflect a systematic and thorough study of a single topic.
• Summarize the current state of knowledge on a topic by reviewing other scholarly research.

• Lack colorful advertising, classified ads, coupons, etc..
• Articles are often printed one column to a page, as in books.
• Have graphs, tables, or charts referring to specific ideas in the articles.

• Written by the person(s) who did the research being reported. 
• Author has written about the field before or works at a department at a university that is linked to the topic.
• Most highly‑regarded scholarly journals are sponsored by professional associations like the American Psychological Association or the American Chemical Society.

• Articles are evaluated by an editorial board and other experts (peer review) before they are accepted for publication.
• Articles are based on solid research that meets the normal standards of the field of study covered by the journal.
• Professors sometimes refer to peer-reviewed journals as refereed journals.

• Contain an advanced vocabulary, technical language, or jargon from the field of study.
• Authors assume that the reader already possesses a basic understanding of the topic.

• Always indicate the sources of their information.
• References are usually listed at the end of an article, but they may appear in the form of footnotes, endnotes, or a bibliography.