Popular sources: For everybody
Substantive popular sources: For a college-educated or otherwise knowledgeable audience
Professional sources: For professionals in an occupation
Scholarly sources: For scholars, students, and other people seeking deeper knowledge of the subject.
Source: Ohio State University. (2015). Choosing & using sources: A guide to academic research. Teaching & Learning.
On the MU Libraries' homepage, click "How Do I Find?" to view guides on searching for various types of sources.
Popular press sources are non-scholarly publications that are intended for general audiences, such as magazines, newspapers, and books. Their intent can be to inform or entertain the public. These sources often have paid advertisements and rarely include scholarly citations.
Popular press sources are often a valuable resource when trying to learn about a new topic. They are more easily accessible and easier to understand as a non-professional. For new developments or current events -- such as information about political candidates policy proposals or a recent natural disaster -- they may be the only type of source available since scholarly sources have a slow publication process.
Users must carefully evaluate the reliability of popular press sources when using them. A few pieces to examine include:
Out of popular press sources, those considered more reputable include national newspapers (New York Times, Washington Post) and large magazines (Newsweek, Time). However, these are still not scholarly and should only be used when citing popular press sources is appropriate.
Note: Even if a source is reputable, be aware that they may also publish opinion-based pieces that are not solely about reporting facts. These are often labeled as Opinion, Analysis, or Letter to the Editor. Major news sources may also have a section for blogs, which have less editorial oversight.
The Media Bias Chart, like all sources, should be carefully considered -- and it has. Some have scrutinized whether it is accurate or effective.
| Popular Press Magazines | Scholarly Journals | |
|---|---|---|
| Advertising | Generally a lot of popular or eye-catching advertisements | If any, often related to the profession. |
| Audience | General public | Scholars or professionals |
| Authors | Often staff or freelance writers; Names might not be included. | Typically experts, professionals, or university scholars; Credentials or affiliation are often included. |
| Frequency | Varies; Could be daily, weekly, or monthly | Usually monthly or quarterly, may be bi-annual |
| Language | Informal or conversational wording | Formal or technical language of the field |
| Layout | Informal, highly visual | Formal, often with standardized section headings |
| Publisher | Commercially published | Often issued by a professional association or university |
| Purpose | To provide news, entertainment, or leisure reading | To present research findings to professionals or scholars in a particular field |
| References | No bibliography; Sources or citations are rarely used | References are always included and often extensive |
| Review | Articles selected by an editor or editorial board | Articles are "peer-reviewed" and approved for publication by a panel of experts |
This table has been adapted from Creighton University's Comparing Magazines and Journals.
