This section highlights the purpose of several types of information sources. It is not a comprehensive list, but is provided as a quick reference for the kind of information generally provided by that source.
Journals
- Peer reviewed/refereed
- Undergoes a review by other experts in the field prior to being published
- Language often highly technical, geared towards other scholars and researchers
- Includes original research and review articles
- Two higher levels of rigor are articles which are classified as "systematic reviews" and "meta-analysis" as they follow specific protocols as part of the research process.
- May also contain content that is not peer reviewed (e.g. commentary, letters to/from editor, etc.)
- Contains little to no advertisements
- Scholarly
- An editorial board with subject expertise examines the article before accepting for publication, but the article submitted does not undergo a formal peer review prior to publication.
- Language often highly technical, geared towards other scholars and researchers
- Includes original research (primary source) and review (secondary source) articles
- May also contain content that is not peer reviewed (e.g. commentary, letters to/from editor, etc.)
- Contains little to no advertisements
- Trade/practitioner
- Written for a specific audience in a particular field or industry
- Language used generally includes specific jargon by those in the industry
- Often includes articles that translate scientific findings to those practicing in the industry
- Consists of one or more editors to manage the publication
- Articles written by journalists as well as selected experts in the field, some listed as "anonymous"
- Often includes several advertisements
- Popular/consumer
- Written for general audiences, language in laymen terms
- Consists of one or more editors to manage the publication
- Articles often written by journalists, or listed as "anonymous"
- Often includes several advertisements
- Newsletter
- Often contains brief communications within a particular industry
- Language used is generally for laymen though may also include somewhat technical
- Articles written by someone within the association or board of the organization
- May highlight/indicate impacts of a scientific finding to those practicing in the industry
- News
- Written for general audiences and covers a wide variety of subjects/disciplines
- Language in laymen terms
- Generally brief, though some articles may be lengthy
Books
- University Presses & Academic Publishers
- Content in books under this classification are often written and/or edited by experts in the field
- Publishers have a reputation for publishing high quality works
- Several textbooks are published by entities in this group
- General Publishers
- Generally less rigorous (at least in the sciences) in acceptance of manuscripts for publication
- Editors/authors may not be experts in the field
- Self-Published
- Author pays a publisher to distribute his/her work
- No review or regulation as to what is published in this model
Websites, Blogs, Social Media, and other "free" sources
- This includes any website, videos, images, etc. available on the open web
- Published by anyone, no level of review prior to content being posted
- Content (quality and quantity) varies greatly
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