Question:
How can I tell if a resource is scholarly?
Answer:
There are several factors to consider when trying to determine whether a book or article is scholarly. Ask yourself the following questions.
- Who are the authors? Look for articles written by:
- expert with an advanced degree in a related subject
- who may be associated with a university, government agency, or corporate research organization
- Who is the intended audience? Scholarly articles are written for:
- professionals or scholars in the subject area
- students studying the subject area in college or university
- What is the purpose of the work? Does it:
- share new research
- generate conversation between other experts
- Who is the publisher? Are they:
- a university press
- a professional organization like the American Psychological Society
- a publisher who specializes in academic work like Taylor and Francis
- What is the editing/review process? Has the article been:
- reviewed by other experts in the field prior to being published
- reviewed by a panel of editors appointed by the publisher
- Does the article provide references to external sources that were used to support their claims?
For more information, see our guide "How To...Identify Scholarly Information" for additional guidance on evaluating sources.
Identifying Scholarly Articles from NOVA Libraries on Vimeo.