Peer-Reviewed
The process in which an article submitted to a scholarly journal is reviewed by other researchers/professors in the same field as the author (his/her peers) in order to be approved for publication. Peer-reviewed journals are scholarly.
Popular
This term is often used to refer to articles in periodicals but can include any type of resource material (Books, audiovisual items, etc.). Popular items are often noted to have the following characteristics:
- Produced for a general audience
- Writing level and style that is for a general audience (lack of special terminology)
- Authors who are paid staff writers having interest in, but less expertise in the subject area
- Few or no references or citations
- Publications that are general and current in topic (examples could include Time, Newsweek, or People)
Scholarly
This term is often applied to periodical articles and journals; however, it can also be applied to any items (Books, audiovisual materials, etc.)
A scholarly item may be characterized by the following:
- Authors with credentials or extensive backgrounds in the subject field
- Produced for an audience knowledgeable in the subject area
- Written with terminology and technical jargon associated with the field
- Journals that focus only on a particular subject
- Usually have extensive references and citations
- May be peer-reviewed
