What are Scholarly Sources? Guide to Identifying and Using Academic Research Materials

Understand what scholarly sources are and how to identify credible, peer-reviewed materials for academic writing and literature reviews.

What are Scholarly Sources?

Scholarly sources are research materials written by experts for academic audiences. They are peer-reviewed, evidence-based, and published in reputable journals or by academic presses.

Key Characteristics of Scholarly Sources

  • Written by researchers or subject matter experts.
  • Include citations, references, and methodological details.
  • Published by recognized academic institutions or publishers.

Examples of Scholarly Sources

  • Peer-reviewed journal articles
  • Academic books and book chapters
  • Conference proceedings and dissertations

How to Find Scholarly Sources

  • Use academic databases like JSTOR, PubMed, or Google Scholar.
  • Check for DOI numbers and journal credentials.

Best Practices

  • Verify author expertise and publication credibility.
  • Distinguish between scholarly and popular sources before citing.

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