Popular and Scholarly Sources

Knowing When to Use Popular and Scholarly Sources

So if neither source is better than the other, how do you know which sources to use in different situations? The easiest way to decide this is when your professor gives you a research assignment. Be sure to check whether you need include scholarly or popular sources and how many of each you should use. This will often be written into the assignment instructions;  if it is not, you should ask your professor.

Here are some common examples of when particular sources might be appropriate.

Situation Appropriate Sources
Creating your own personal blog about climate change. Both popular and scholarly sources are appropriate in this situation - the blog is for your own use and you are free to include anything (be sure to cite!).
Writing a paper about climate change for your English 101 class. Scholarly sources should be your main focus - however, you can include some popular sources (like a newspaper article) to help you with your introduction and background information. Check with your professor for approval and be sure to cite!
Writing a dissertation to earn your Ph.D. Scholarly sources should make up the majority of works cited; a small number of popular sources may be appropriate.
Explaining to your friends why they should vote for a particular candidate. Popular sources would be best, as they cover current topics, like elections. Scholarly sources take much longer to be published, so the information may not be as helpful in this case.

Quick Check:

Previous Next