Understanding Context
Knowing whether information is accurate or authoritative on a topic is an important aspect of information literacy. A helpful way to determine this is by reviewing the context of your information need. Below are some examples of how to interpret this principle in the Research Process.
Example One: You are looking for information regarding electric cars because you plan to purchase one in a couple of months and want to know which ones are the best. In this case, articles from popular magazines may be authoritative as your information needs are relevant to a general audience.
Example Two: You are beginning a research paper on the science behind electric car engines and ways to make them more efficient. In this instance, you may require scholarly sources or peer-reviewed articles discussing the topic, as the authors are experts in this field.
Take a moment to think about the context of a research project; some questions to consider:
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Popular Magazines
Popular magazines and newspapers are published periodically and designed for a broad, general audience. Unlike scholarly sources, popular magazines do not regularly undergo peer review.
Major characteristics of popular source articles:
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Scholarly Sources
A scholarly source is a magazine or periodical published regularly about a particular subject. Each issue contains multiple articles, often with a similar theme. Articles in scholarly publications are generally Peer-Reviewed and very focused in terms of topic and scope.
Major characteristics of scholarly studies:
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Scholarly Sources vs Popular Magazines
In many cases, assignments will require peer-reviewed journal articles or scholarly articles to be the basis of your research. Peer-reviewed articles require that experts in the field examine them before they are accepted for publication. This ensures that the research is sound and of high quality. Using this as the basis of your research will build credibility as you evaluate and synthesize their research. What are these articles, and what makes them different from articles from magazines like Time?
Below are some of the major differences in periodical publications.
| Scholarly Journals | Popular Magazine | |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Plain cover/plain paper; black/white graphics and illustrations | Eye-catching cover; glossy; pics and illustrations in color |
|
Content |
Research projects, methodology, and theory | Personalities, news, opinions, general interest |
| Audience | Academic or professional: professors, researchers, students | General public |
| Bibliography | Always | Rarely |
| Advertisements | Few or none | Often |
| Abstract | Often | Rarely |
| Writing Style | Specialized vocabulary or jargon may require training or subject expertise to understand | Vocabulary that can be understood by the general public |
| Examples | Communication Research, Journal of Communication, Journalism History | Time, Highlights, Answers in Genesis |
| Peer-reviewed? | Always/Often | Rarely/Never |