Accurately identifying scientific sources takes time to learn and refine. It can be difficult, especially at first, but with practice and these simple guidelines, determining if a source is scientific is a skill anyone can master. Most scientific articles are hosted in specialized databases. Libraries (public, school or business) often provide access to scholarly databases by paying a subscription fee for users. For example, OSU libraries provide access to hundreds of databases through their list of research databases, which are made available free of charge to those associated with the university. You can search for a journal title in these databases or view a list of databases by topic. For more information, including searching databases, see Specialized Databases. In a narrower sense, any other source could be called a popular source. However, this does not mean that all popular sources are equally reliable.

Nor does it mean that you should only use academic sources for all your writing at Yale. Depending on the research context, some projects allow a mix of scientific and popular sources. As a general rule, the more specialized the course or research project you are working on, the more you should limit yourself to using verified and expert sources in your work. In a history seminar on World War II, you are usually expected to consult the most definitive academic studies of that time. But in a literary essay analyzing Joseph Heller`s Catch-22, you may be able to rely on a popular story for facts about World War II because the goal of your work is to interpret the novel. That`s not to say you can trust what your friends say about the war or the “facts” in Saving Private Ryan. But a paperback published by a major publisher may suffice. Depending on the context of the research, you may have sources that are not as reliable as scientific sources, but still add texture or authority to your argument. In the humanities, for example, the opinions of critics often show bias (even celebrate it). But because of the professional experience of their authors, such opinions can be used as ideas to expand one`s own analysis – or serve as counter-arguments that clarify your own claims.

For example, if critics highlight the same element of the text you`re focusing on (the end of a play, the entrance to a building, the color palette in a film), their attention can serve as evidence that the component is important, even if you use your paper to argue for a different interpretation. You see, why quote? for more discussion of counter-arguments. Some journals – such as Discover – are more authoritative than a general information magazine, but less authoritative than a scientific journal. In the scientific field, studies carried out by interested parties are generally not accepted without criticism (e.g. pollution studies commissioned by chemical companies). But they can still identify the key elements of the issue that need attention. The most respected scientific journals are peer-reviewed, meaning that experts in their field other than the author and editor review each article before it can be published. It is their responsibility to ensure that the new material is presented in the context of what is already known, that the methods used by the researcher are the right ones, and that the article contributes to this topic. In its simplest form, “a scientific source is material written by scientists for scientists,” said Anaya Jones, eLearning librarian at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). It`s important to note that scientific research is often peer-reviewed, meaning other scientists in the field review the work and decide if the research and methods are sound. If so, the work is considered reliable and appropriate for publication in a journal or scientific publisher. Professors and students rely on scientific journal articles to share their research, and the publication of their work allows others to benefit from their findings.

the difference. First, identify the author. From there, you can make an educated guess about the audience. If the play was written by a professor or researcher and the publication is addressed to other professors and researchers, the play is most likely scientific. Databases that are not specific to a subject are called general databases. Google Scholar is a free general scientific database accessible to anyone with access to the Internet, and offers some scientific articles. For more information, see our section on using Google Scholar. The articles you use for your tasks should also be relevant to your research question – not just credible. Reading specific parts of an article can help you save time when deciding if an article is relevant.

When searching for scientific sources, library databases are the best place to start. You will find a wealth of information published in scientific journals and academic presses. Most colleges and universities have subscriptions that give students online access to all scientific journals. Library databases also contain popular sources, but be sure to focus your research only on academic sources. The best way to do this is to start your search by searching for peer-reviewed journals. Newspapers are not as easy to classify as other sources. Newspapers are not scientific sources, but some would not be called popular either. Each source must be queried for its share of the material.

The New York Post, for example, is notoriously inflammatory and also seems to like TV shows airing on the Fox network (owned by the same company). But some newspapers, such as the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, have gained a national, if not global, reputation for de rigueur. In fact, even major mainstream magazines like Newsweek and Time are generally reliable. Reading a scientific article usually requires some effort. Here`s how. Written material that can be used as source material generally falls into two categories: popular and scientific. Popular material is intended to inform or entertain the public. This can include newspapers, magazines, websites, and blogs.

After all, almost any source can be used as evidence that someone believes the idea you`re quoting. While it may seem obvious, such evidence can be surprisingly helpful when crafting an argument, especially for articulating the research problem of your essay. If the Harvard Crimson publishes a negative article about the Yale football team, you probably can`t believe it`s an unbiased assessment. But such an article can still be cited as evidence that “some people have negative opinions about Yale football.” It can also be cited as evidence that “football is important enough in some Ivy schools to merit coverage in the campus newspaper.” If you compare it to other articles in the issue describing cross-campus collaboration, the football article could be used to suggest: “Feelings at Harvard are divided over rivalry with Yale.” In the natural and social sciences, you can discuss popular and non-expert presentations of a key topic and explain where they go astray – and therefore why your paper is needed. When an article is published in a peer-reviewed journal, it is scientific. If an article is published in a scientific journal that is not peer-reviewed, it may or may not be scientific. It`s important to look for clues and use your judgment as a scientist to discover that scientific sources usually contain a recognizable structure, including the presentation of methods, results, and analyses.