Books can be tricky to assess for scholarly content. Generally the library evaluates the content of print material before ordering items and placing them in the collection. Some things to look for if you need scholarly resources:
Keep in mind, just because you find something on the library shelves or though one of the library's databases, does not mean it is a scholarly source.
If you are searching for articles through the library's General Search, use the advanced search option and click scholarly peer reviewed or academic journal under the limit search results box. The same applies when searching in individual databases. Having said that, it's still always a good idea to assess a journal article on its own merits.
Magazine articles |
Scholarly journal articles |
| Articles may be written by non-specialists | Articles written by experts: often professors |
| Articles are reviewed by an editor, but not by a panel of experts | Articles often go through a peer review process: independent experts evaluate the article before it's published |
| Articles may or may not mention sources in the text | Articles have footnotes and/or bibliographies |
| May have extensive advertising, lavish photos, colorful cover to market the magazine | Minimal advertising, graphics, or illustrations unless relevant to the article (for example, art journals) |
Websites can be useful tools for accessing information. Keep in mind though that information on the Internet is not always current, accurate or authoritative. Ask questions like:
Important Considerations
In addition to the above methods for determining the credibility of a resource, consider the following questions:
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