Scholarly journals are the method by which researchers share the results of their work. After experiments and research are conducted, the results analyzed, etc. the researchers write an article that gives readers an overview of recent research on the given topic, an outline of the research question the researcher hoped to answer, the methods used to conduct the research and the analysis of that research. Finally, the researchers offer their conclusion, what they actually learned and what the next steps for additional research might be.
If you need to use research articles in your project, look for headings in the article that reflect those areas: Title and Author information; Abstract; Introduction and/or Literature Review; Method or Methodology; Results or Findings; Discussion, Comments or Conclusion; and References - usually a high number of them!
Scholarly journals may also be referred to as academic. Some databases will simply label these as journals.
Author(s) typically have advanced degrees relating to the subject matter, as do the editors. Many scholarly sources are peer-reviewed (sometimes referred to as refereed), meaning content is edited and approved for publication by a team of reviewers whose members have similar advanced credentials in relation to the subject. Extensive lists of citations and notes are included.
Content may be difficult to fully comprehend without fairly extensive background knowledge of the content matter, although this varies with the discipline and the type of article encountered (primary/original research vs. reviews/overviews).
One criteria relating to the evaluation of information is the authority of the information. Scholarly, peer-reviewed sources are considered to be VERY authoritative due to the required background of the authors and editors, as well as the peer-review process.
Contact:
315-786-2314
Research Assistance - Spring 2025
Email is the best method to use to contact me, I check my email several times a day during my normal work hours (9:00 am - 5:00 pm EST Monday through Friday). I check email less frequently (sometimes, not at all) during the weekends and on vacation days; if you need immediate help during these times, use the email and/or chat resources listed on our Ask for Help web page.
I look forward to working with you.
John