Evaluating Scholarly Articles
Is this a Scholarly Article?
You have chosen your topic. You are beginning your research.
Your instructor has told you that you must use the information from “scholarly journal articles.”
What does this mean? What are scholarly journals?
Some of the following characteristics can be found in most scholarly articles:
The article is from a “peer-reviewed” or “refereed” publication:
The journal is published or sponsored by a professional scholarly society or association (e.g. American Medical Association)
- There may be a list of reviewers (editorial board) inside the front cover of the journal or on the first few pages (this type of scholarly journal is known as a “juried” or “refereed” journal).
Checklist of the general characteristics of a scholarly journal article:
- The article is based on either original research or authorities in the field (as opposed to personal opinion).
- The author’s credentials are listed (usually at the beginning or end of the article).
- The title of the article reflects its content.
- There may be an abstract or summary at the beginning of the article.
- The article has a bibliography or list of references.
- There may be supporting diagrams or illustrations with the article.
- The article may be organized into at least two of the following sections:
- Introduction or Literature Review
- Theory or Background
- Subjects
- Methods
- Results
- Discussion
