Q. What is a scholarly source?

A scholarly source is a publication written by researchers, scholars, or subject experts that contributes to academic knowledge within a field of study.

Scholarly sources are commonly used in college assignments because they provide evidence-based information, research findings, and expert analysis. They help students engage with current academic conversations and support their arguments with credible evidence.

Common Types of Scholarly Sources

• Peer-reviewed journal articles
• Research studies
• Scholarly books and eBooks
• Conference papers
• Literature reviews
• Academic essays and analyses

Characteristics of Scholarly Sources

While scholarly sources vary by discipline, they often share several characteristics:

• Written by experts or researchers in a field
• Supported by citations and references
• Based on research, evidence, or scholarly analysis
• Published by academic journals, scholarly publishers, or professional organizations
• Written for students, researchers, and other academic audiences

What Does a Scholarly Source Look Like?

Many scholarly articles include:

• An abstract or summary
• An introduction outlining the topic
• A discussion of methods or research design
• Evidence and analysis
• A conclusion
• A bibliography, references list, or works cited page

Not every scholarly source contains all of these elements, but many academic publications share a similar structure.

Scholarly vs. Popular Sources

Scholarly and popular sources serve different purposes.

• Scholarly Sources: Created to advance knowledge, share research findings, or contribute to academic discussions.
• Popular Sources: Created to inform, entertain, or provide general-interest information to a broad audience.

Both types of sources can be useful, depending on the goals of your assignment and the information you need.

Does Scholarly Always Mean Peer Reviewed?

Not always.

Many scholarly journal articles are peer reviewed, but some scholarly sources are not. Scholarly books, conference proceedings, and other academic publications may undergo different review processes.

When an instructor specifically requires peer-reviewed sources, be sure to verify that the source meets that requirement.

Need Help?

Librarians at the Brother Edmond Drouin Library can help you identify scholarly sources, locate peer-reviewed articles, evaluate sources, and determine whether a resource is appropriate for your assignment.