How can I tell if a source is scholarly?
Answer
A scholarly source is something you tend not to pick up and read just for fun; it is intended for educational or professional purposes, not entertainment. It is written by a person with a lot of education and experience with that subject area. It went through a rigorous process of editing and approval before being published. It cites sources and lists references. It uses formal language without slang - often using jargon related to a specific academic field. It often is lengthy and doesn't have many advertisements, a lot of photos, or and less color than popular magazines.
To learn more about how to tell if a source is scholarly, visit our Scholarly v. Popular page.