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Writing 120L: Writin' is Fightin'

This guide highlights resources for your research project(s) in WRIT 120 and how to get help from a librarian.

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Librarian

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304 Rolvaag Memorial Library
1510 St. Olaf Avenue
St. Olaf College
Northfield, MN 55057

507-786-3658

Subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Chemistry/Biology, Computer Science, Creative Writing, Data Science, Engineering, English, Environmental Conversations, Environmental Studies, Kinesiology, Mathematics, Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science, Neuroscience, Nursing, Physics, Public Health, Statistics

Evaluating Research Sources: Questions to Consider

Is this article popular or scholarly?

Scholarly and Popular Materials Guide (NC State)
Guide to identifying scholarly and popular articles from North Carolina State University

Ulrichsweb.com This link opens in a new window
Bibliographic and publisher information on periodicals including scholarly journals, trade magazines, popular magazines, and newspapers.

Comparing Popular and Scholarly Articles

Articles in Popular Magazines and Newspapers	Articles in Scholarly (Peer-Reviewed) Journals
Written by journalists or magazine staff	Written by experts affiliated with a research institution (university, hospital, etc.)
Purpose is to inform, persuade, or entertain the general public	Purpose is to communicate research findings to other experts
Use language understood by the general public	Use precise, discipline-specific language
Do not include a formal bibliography, works cited, or references list	Always include a bibliography, works cited, and/or references list
Often include bright, colorful photos	Often display data in black-and-white charts/graphs
Evaluated for publication by a magazine editor	Have been evaluated and recommend for publication by other experts in the peer-review process
Popular magazines are often published weekly	Scholarly journals are often published monthly or quarterly