The Different Types of Scholarly Sources in Academia & Which is best for you?

Declan Gessel

Jun 8, 2024

Person Reading a Book - Types of Scholarly Sources

Are you challenged by the task of exploring the world of scholarly sources for your academic work? Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed by the variety of sources available, unsure which are trustworthy or appropriate?

This guide will introduce you to the different types of scholarly sources in academics and suggest which might be best for you and CRAAP Test. By the end, you'll have the tools to identify the most reliable and appropriate sources for your needs.

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What is a Scholarly Source?

Scholarly sources are essential for reliable research, as they provide detailed information and support your arguments. This research is typically produced by academic experts and tends to be peer-reviewed.

which means other experts in that field have reviewed and approved the work. Scholars' work is credible, reliable, and useful for those seeking to learn more about a topic, as it’s usually based on thorough research and expertise in a specific subject.

In other words, when you use scholarly sources, you rely on the work of experts and other researchers who have spent much time gathering, analyzing, and understanding a particular topic. This will give your research more depth and credibility–which is essential in academic writing.

Why is it Important?

Different Books Placed on Bench - Types of Scholarly Sources

Credibility and Accuracy

Scholarly sources are essential for academic research because they offer several key benefits. Because of the expert authorship, peer-review process, and focus on evidence, you can trust the information from scholarly sources to be reliable and accurate.

In-Depth Knowledge

Scholarly sources delve deeper into a subject than popular sources. They provide a comprehensive understanding of complex topics through nuanced analysis and exploring different perspectives.

Supporting Evidence

When building your research arguments, scholarly sources provide the evidence and citations you need to strengthen your claims and demonstrate the validity of your findings.

Staying Current

Scholarly sources are at the forefront of academic inquiry. Using them, you connect with your field's latest research and developments, ensuring your work reflects current knowledge.

Academic Integrity

When you cite scholarly sources, you demonstrate responsible research practices and proper attribution, which are essential for academic integrity.

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Characteristics of Scholarly Sources

Glasses Placed on Book - Types of Scholarly Sources

Authorship

Scholarly sources are typically written by subject-matter experts. These experts hold advanced degrees (Masters, PhD) and have extensive knowledge and experience in their field. This ensures the information presented is accurate and reflects current understandings within the discipline.

Peer-Review Process

Many scholarly sources, particularly journal articles, undergo peer review. In this process, other scholars with expertise in the same field critically evaluate the research and writing. This rigorous process helps ensure the research is sound and methodologically strong and contributes meaningfully to the field.

Publication Platforms

Scholarly sources are typically published in reputable venues such as:

Academic journals

These are peer-reviewed periodicals focused on specific disciplines and publish new research findings.

Books by university presses

University presses are publishing houses affiliated with universities that publish scholarly books based on rigorous selection processes.

Credible online platforms

In some fields, reputable online platforms may publish peer-reviewed scholarly articles or resources curated by academic institutions.

Content Focus

Scholarly sources prioritize presenting well-researched information and analysis. They often include:

Evidence-based arguments

Claims and conclusions are supported by data, research findings, or other scholarly sources.

Citations and References

Scholarly sources properly cite other scholarly works used in the research or writing. This allows readers to trace the development of ideas and verify the information presented.

Types of Scholarly Sources: Understanding the Basics

Person Writing Notes - Types of Scholarly Sources

Books

Books are crucial resources for in-depth studies and comprehensive overviews of a subject. They provide a broad perspective on a topic, often synthesizing research from various sources. Textbooks offer foundational knowledge in a field, while monographs delve deeper into specific aspects of a topic. Edited collections present diverse perspectives on a subject from different scholars.

When evaluating books, consider the author's credentials, publication date for currency, and publisher's reputation. University presses often indicate a book's scholarly merit.

Journal Articles

Journal articles report original research findings and are typically peer-reviewed to ensure sound research methodologies and conclusions. They offer the latest developments and advancements within a specific field.

Journal articles are beneficial for staying updated on current research, exploring specific research questions, and finding detailed methodologies for replicating studies. When evaluating journal articles, consider the journal's reputation within your field. Look for articles with clear methodologies, well-supported arguments, and proper citations.

Types of Scholarly Sources: Primary vs. Secondary

Person Writing Notes while Using Laptop - Types of Scholarly Sources

Primary Sources

Primary sources are original materials that provide direct evidence or firsthand accounts of an event, object, or phenomenon. They offer a unique insight into the subject matter, providing an unfiltered view of historical events, artistic expressions, scientific data, or other phenomena.

Primary sources include historical documents like letters, diaries, and newspapers, creative works like literature or art, scientific data sets, field notes from research projects, or even artifacts like buildings or tools. They allow researchers to interpret and analyze information directly, often revealing personal perspectives, emotions, and experiences that other sources may miss.

Secondary Sources

Secondary sources analyze, interpret, and evaluate primary sources. They draw on primary sources to offer commentary, analysis, and insights, presenting a broader context and understanding of a topic.

These sources can include scholarly books, articles, reviews, and other publications that provide critical perspectives, theories, and discussions based on primary sources. Secondary sources help readers situate primary information in a broader context, offering interpretations and analyses that can enrich understanding.

Primary sources are crucial for understanding the information they offer.

Primary sources offer a unique insight into a subject matter, often revealing personal perspectives, emotions, and experiences that other sources may miss. They allow researchers to interpret and analyze information directly, providing an unfiltered view of historical events, artistic expressions, scientific data, or other phenomena.

Primary sources include historical documents like letters, diaries, and newspapers, creative works like literature or art, scientific data sets, field notes from research projects, or even artifacts like buildings or tools. They are the original materials that provide direct evidence or firsthand accounts of an event, object, or phenomenon.

Secondary sources are an essential component of the scholarly research process.

Secondary sources help researchers situate primary information in a broader context, offering interpretations and analyses that can enrich understanding. By drawing on primary sources, secondary sources provide commentary, analysis, and insights that expand on the original materials.

These sources can include scholarly books, articles, reviews, and other publications that present a critical perspective and offer theories and discussions informed by primary sources. Secondary sources offer a deeper understanding of a topic by providing context, analysis, and insights based on previous research.

How to Choose the Right Source Type for Your Research

People Doing a Meeting - Types of Scholarly Sources

Research Question or Thesis Statement

Every research project begins with a question or thesis statement that guides the inquiry. You can determine the sources needed by defining your research question or thesis. For example, researching the influence of social media on the 2020 US elections requires scholarly articles that analyze social media trends and their impact on elections.

Stage of Research

The stage of research you're in influences the type of sources you should seek. In the early information-gathering stage, use secondary sources like scholarly books or review articles to gain a broad understanding. However, in the later narrowing-down stage, focus on primary sources like historical documents, data sets, or specific journal articles that directly address your research question.

Source Credibility

Evaluating the credibility of your sources is crucial to ensure the reliability of the information you use. Consider the authorship, publication source, peer-review status, and currency of your consulting sources. Look for authors with relevant academic credentials, sources published in reputable academic journals, the peer-reviewed label on journal articles, and current information, especially in rapidly evolving fields.

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Primary Sources

Primary sources are original materials. This could include historical documents, eyewitness accounts, autobiographies, letters, diaries, interviews, research data, and results or research collected or conducted by you. Primary sources are materials directly related to a particular subject or topic.

Secondary Sources

Secondary sources are one step removed from the primary source. A secondary source analyzes or interprets primary sources. Secondary sources include books, articles, and documentaries.

Tertiary Sources

Tertiary sources are those used to organize and locate primary and secondary sources. These resources provide overviews, summaries, or indexes—for example, textbooks, directories, and encyclopedias.

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