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Unit 5: Conducting Independent Research

38 Distinguishing Scholarly Journal Articles from Popular Articles

Understanding Scholarly and Popular Sources

Journals, magazines, and newspapers are important sources for up-to-date information in all disciplines. You will use two main types of sources from the UW Libraries:

Types of sources

Scholarly articles: Research‑based publications written by experts for an academic or professional audience

Popular articles: Publications that report on general‑interest topics such as current events, news stories, or research in ways that inform or entertain

Below are the general criteria for each type of source.

Scholarly articles from research journals

  • Purpose: report the results of original research or analysis
  • Audience: scholars, researchers, and students of a particular field of study
  • Authors: are experts in their field; author names and credentials always included
  • Appearance: clearly labeled sections (e.g. “methods” or “discussion”); may contain charts and graphs reporting research results; photos or images only if relevant to the field
  • Language: technical or specialized language
  • Content: usually contains the following
    • an abstract (a short summary) at the beginning of the article
    • their research methodology
    • research results and analysis
    • bibliography of works cited
  • Also called: academic journals or articles
  • Publication process: reviewed by other scholars before publication; sources always included

Examples

Tips for Finding Scholarly articles

  • Access the academic journals through the UW Libraries Website (not through their webpages because you need a paid subscription).
  • Access Google Scholar through the UW Libraries Website to download articles for free.

High-quality, substantive popular articles

  • Purpose: To report on general‑interest topics by explaining current news, stories, or research in clear and engaging ways.
  • Audience: A general audience that wants reliable, easy‑to‑understand information about important topics.
  • Authors: Staff writers, journalists, or freelance writers; sometimes experts. Author names and basic credentials are usually included.
  • Appearance: Often look like magazines or news sites and may include photos, images, charts, or graphs that help explain the topic. They may contain some advertisements.
  • Language: Written in clear, everyday language for interested readers; may be more detailed than basic popular sources but not technical like scholarly sources.
  • Content: Explains current events, research, or trends with more depth and accuracy than general popular sources.
  • Publication Process: Reviewed by editors; information is usually checked, and articles may include sources or links to additional information.

Examples

** Access this database and these newspapers through the UW Libraries Website.

When searching in databases

Popular articles generally do not contain an abstract. However, if you are searching for a popular article in a database, there will typically be an abstract in the database entry itself. Note that this is an abstract in the database, not the article itself.

Can I use AI to Locate Articles?

Pros and Cons of using AI to Locate Articles

Generative AI tools (including chat-based systems) can:

  • Suggest search terms and keywords
    • Example: “social media effects” → digital engagement, online identity, SNS usage
  • Identify major themes and debates in a topic area
  • Recommend possible authors, journals, or types of sources
  • Help translate a research question into database-ready queries
  • Point you toward likely places to search (e.g., education journals, policy reports)

Think of AI as a research navigator, not the archive itself.

Pros of using AI to locate articles:

  • Helps you get started with a new or unclear topic
  • Suggests search terms, keywords, and related concepts
  • Identifies major debates and viewpoints
  • Saves time in the early stages of research
  • Supports efficient use of library databases and Google Scholar

Cons and limitations of using AI:

  • May invent or produce incorrect citations
  • Cannot reliably judge source quality or peer review status
  • Often misses paywalled or specialized academic sources
  • Tends to repeat common viewpoints and overlook emerging or marginalized scholarship
  • Can create false confidence and reduce careful reading
  • Misuse may lead to academic integrity or policy issues

Bottom line:

  • Students still need library literacy skills.
  • Use AI as a research helper, not a source. Always verify AI‑suggested articles in a real database.

Key Takeaways

  • Journals, magazines, and newspapers provide important and up‑to‑date information for research.
  • Scholarly articles and high‑quality popular articles serve different purposes and audiences.
  • Scholarly articles report original research and are reviewed by experts before publication.
  • Popular articles explain current issues in clear language for a general audience.
  • The UW–Madison Libraries are the best place to find reliable academic sources.
  • AI tools can help you brainstorm keywords and search strategies, but they are not sources.
  • Every source—especially AI‑suggested ones—must be found in a real database and evaluated carefully.

Watch the video below

From the Evelyn & Howard Boroughs Library

Sources consulted

  1. Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries Research Guides
  2. and Cornell University Library Research & Learning Services
    Olin Library
    Cornell University Library
    Ithaca, NY, USA

License

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