Prompt #4

Scholarly Articles vs. Popular Articles

When researching, it is common to come across two different types of information. While the two sources may reach the same conclusion, how they got there is important. Scholarly articles are based around the research or the experiments that the "scholar" does. While the topic could be the same, popular articles are written less professional, and often to a different reader.


An incredibly famous and respected magazine is Popular Mechanics. This magazine is a monthly update of breakthroughs in technology and engineering. But, as the name suggests, this is a popular article. The information inside is based on summaries or are conclusions to research or experiments someone else did. Because this is a magazine that can be found on the shelf at a market, it is aimed to be readable for just those type of people.

Popular Articles:

• Written by journalists for a general and wide audience.

• Are often shorter than Scholarly articles.

• Use simpler and less professional language.

• Often fail to fully cite sources.

The Journal of Engineering and Technology Research already sounds more promising than the former. This is an example of a Scholarly article, written by researches at Universities across the nation. The title sounds more technical for a reason. This is written by and for professionals, students, researches, etc. These are peer edited and revised by even more scholars, making it the most accurate source of information possible.

Scholarly Articles:

• Written by professionals in the field (Scholars)

• Often longer, and are based around experiments/research.

• Use technical language.

• Fully include sources.

Both forms of writing often reach the conclusion, and most of the time, both can also be trusted. Obviously, scholarly articles give more accurate and professional information, but have a higher reading and comprehension level than the former. Popular articles are not only easier to read, but are often more intriguing, and meant to blow your mind. While both are good, it is up to the reader ability and purpose to choose which one wins.

Writer: Pat Wilkinson

http://www.academicjournals.org/journal/JETR

http://www.popularmechanics.com