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Research Basics: Finding Scholarly Journal Articles

What is a popular source?

A popular source is a book or article written for a general audience.  

Look for the following elements to determine if a source is popular:

Authors Can be written by an expert or a writer who has done research on the topic

Audience

Written for a general audience with interest in the topic
Citation Mentions research, but does not cite 
Research Sources Typically does not have a list of research sources used
Timeliness Often published quickly, in hours, days or months
Data May contain some research data in the text or illustrations
Tone Written in a conversational or informal tone, and defines specialized vocabulary
Illustrations Used as design elements, to give context or attract audience
Advertising May include paid advertising, which may influence content

Popular Source Examples

What are scholarly sources?