Before diving into databases, it is helpful to learn about the various kinds of sources you'll encounter while using them. Because different sources are created in different ways and serve different purposes, some types are better at answering certain types of questions than others. Knowing the differences between sources will help you make better decisions about what to use in your paper.
| Source Type | Reference Sources | Scholarly Books | Scholarly Journal |
Trade Magazine / Journal |
Popular Magazine / News |
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| Video Overview |
"5 Reasons to Use Reference Sources," University of Guelph Library (2:41) |
"How Library Stuff Works: Scholarly Books," McMaster Libraries (2:29) |
"Scholarly vs. Popular Periodicals," Vanderbilt University, Peabody Library (3:12) |
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Characteristics & Purpose |
"Use reference books..to get quick specific facts or information or an overview of a subject...Some examples of reference sources are: dictionaries, encyclopedias, bibliographies, almanacs, directories, atlases, and handbooks. These can be online or in print" (McKenzie, 2017). Reference sources can also point to scholarly sources in their list of references or suggested resources for further reading. |
Scholarly books are written by experts and published by a university press or other academic publisher. They also contain references to outside research. Use scholarly books or book chapters when you need more depth on a topic. Scholarly books can come in two types:
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Scholarly articles are published in journals. These articles report on the findings of a research study, such as an experiment, survey, focus group, or film, literary, or legal analysis, etc. Use scholarly articles when you need the results of a study. Scholarly articles are long and are written by experts for other experts, so they are more challenging to read. The researchers aren't paid to produce this type of article, and they are usually reviewed by peers, also for free, in similar fields. These types of articles usually have references / citations. |
Trade articles are published in trade magazines or trade journals. They provide practical advice and trends for people in a particular industry or field. Use these when you need to know how professionals are applying knowledge or to keep up with industry trends. Trade articles are short and are written by paid staff writers, industry specialists, or vendor representatives. However, some people in the field may write for these publications for free. Articles are typically reviewed by paid editors. These types of articles sometimes have references / citations. |
Popular articles include those from newspapers and magazines. The content focuses on current events. Use news and magazines when you need social commentary or information about current events. Popular articles are short and are written for a general audience, so they are often easier to read. They are written by paid journalists, staff writers, or freelance writers, and they are reviewed by paid professional editors. These types of articles rarely have references / citations. |
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Example Source |
Encyclopedia Race in American Film: Voices and Visions That Shaped a Nation
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Monograph Soul Searching: Black-Themed Cinema from the March on Washington to the Rise of Blaxploitation
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Anthology Burnt Cork: Traditions and Legacies of Black Minstrelsy
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Scholarly Journal Journal of African American Studies
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Trade Magazine
"To Change the Oscars, We Must Challenge Hollywood" Log into the Portal to view |
Magazine
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