Evaluating Articles: Audience
Since much research relies on articles, it is important to be aware of
the distinctions made between articles that are considered scholarly
or professional and those that are considered
popular.
How these distinctions are defined again varies
depending on the context of the research and the
discipline, but usually reflect differences in
purpose, audience, and physical appearance.
In general, scholarly or professional
sources:
- Present primary accounts of original research
or in-depth analysis of a topic
- Are written by researchers, scholars, or
practitioners who are considered experts in their
field
- Are intended for an audience of other
researchers, scholars, or practitioners
- Use specialized language and terminology
related to the discipline or profession
- Often include a bibliography of supporting or
related research
- Undergo a rigorous blind peer review process
through an editorial board
- May include research or profession-related
graphics, such as charts, graphs, or tables
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