Source types make up the scope of the literature you are searching. Common source types for historical research include:
Scholarly vs. Popular Sources
| Scholarly/Academic Sources | Popular Sources | |
| Examples: | Peer-reviewed journal articles and books/book chapters | Magazines and newspapers |
| Author is usually: |
Scholar in field, academic, or researcher |
Staff writer, journalist, often a generalist |
| Credit/Sources: | Always include many citations, which are formatted using an academic citation style |
Do not always cite sources; citations may be informal |
| Length: | Articles and chapters are typically 10+ pages | Usually brief |
| Advertisements: | Usually do not contain ads | Usually have ads |
Look at the following two sources and compare them.
Consider these questions:
Peer-Review Definition
Peer-review: "A process by which a scholarly work (such as a paper or a research proposal) is checked by a group of experts in the same field to make sure it meets the necessary standards before it is published or accepted."
- Merriam Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peer%20review
What are "peer-reviewed" journals?
A peer-reviewed journal is a respected academic publication. Before articles are published within these types of journals, they are sent by the editors of the journal to other scholars in the field ("peers"), often anonymously, to get feedback on the quality of the scholarship, review research methods, as well as relevance or importance to the field. The article may be accepted, often with revisions suggested, or rejected for publication. Peer-reviewed journals often have low acceptance rates. Peer-reviewed journals are viewed as respected and credible sources of information.
One way to find peer reviewed articles is to type your keywords into WPI Library Search, and then choose the filter for Peer-reviewed Journals. You can also search our Databases (organized by subject) for peer-reviewed articles.
Characteristics of Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
| Authors are: | scholars in the field, academics, or researchers. |
| Sources are: | always cited with many references and/or footnotes. |
| Articles are: | long; usually don't have ads. |
Peer-Review Video
Run Time: 2:52
The Important Questions of Evaluation: Digging Into Your Sources (3 Levels)
| The 5 Ws (and one H) | The Surface-Level Questions | The Deeper Questions |
|
Who? |
Who is the author, editor, or creator? Is the author qualified to write about this topic? Who is the publisher? |
What makes them qualified? First-hand experience? An advanced degree? |
|
What? |
What type of document is it? For example, is it a newspaper article? A blog? A government website? A scholarly article? A book? What is it about? |
There is no 'bad' type of document, but some have gone through a more rigorous review process than others. |
|
When? |
When was this source published? Is the publication date appropriate for your research? |
The 'up-to-date'-ness of a source matters more for some research questions than others. |
|
Where? |
Where did the authors get their information from? Did they include citations? |
What types of sources do the authors cite? |
|
Why? |
What was the goal of the author or publisher? |
Who is the intended audience? Is the goal to communicate information to a scholarly community or to the general public? |
| How? | How was the work reviewed before publication? | Was the work peer-reviewed (reviewed by other experts in the same academic discipline?) |
These questions are designed to help you evaluate the sources you find. Consider if a source is appropriate for the kind of research you are doing.
Evaluating sources is an ongoing activity you will do throughout your research, and it includes evaluation of your own search process. As you search, pay attention to the keywords and phrases you are using. Are you looking for information that will only confirm what you already suspect, or are you looking for possibly contradictory or opposing information as well? Do you have any 'go-to' sources that you use to find information? Are you looking in too narrow or too broad an area for information?