If you find another credible site that contradicts your original source, further research may be required. Wikipedia offers a large volume of information, but because its entries are created in a collaborative effort involving many different users, its reliability can vary widely.
In some cases, users deliberately place incorrect information on the site; in others, well-meaning users unintentionally introduce inaccuracies. For these reasons, you can use Wikipedia as a jumping-off point to spark more research, but not as a source on its own. If you have a question about the authenticity of a source, you can always reach out to your professor; the University Writing Center at The University of Texas at El Paso ; or the UTEP Library , which offers assistance via email libraryref utep.
Scholarly journals are the main publication format for scholarly research. Most scholarly journals are available for students online and are accessible through library databases. Find out more about library databases below. Sometimes you will be asked to find resources categorized as primary, secondary, or tertiary resources. For historical research, the library has an excellent guide, Understanding Historical Sources , breaking down these types of resources and where you can find them.
It should be noted that a primary source in the scientific disciplines looks a little different than a primary historical source. Put simply, a primary source in the sciences would be the original research, data, or material that forms the basis for other research. For example, the first time research about a new scientific discovery is published would be the primary source. A paper that analyzes or interprets the original research would be a secondary source.
A tertiary source would collect and summarize the information from both the primary and secondary sources. Below is a brief outline of the most common types of sources you might encounter in your research and whether those sources are typically considered scholarly. Type of Source Does this count as scholarly?
Advantages Disadvantages Best tool for finding this source Books Sometimes, but not always. Check the author's background and whether there is evidence of research, such as references or footnotes. Books contain in-depth information.
Prior to publication, they go through an editorial process that helps ensure the quality of the information in them.
Is the publisher an academic institution, scholarly, or professional organization? Is their purpose for publishing this information evident? Audience Who is the intended audience of this source? Is the language geared toward those with knowledge of a specific discipline rather than the general public? Content Why is the information being provided? Are sources cited? Are there charts, graphs, tables, and bibliographies included? Are research claims documented? Are conclusions based on evidence provided?
How long is the source? Additional Tips for Specific Scholarly Source Types Each resource type below will also have unique criteria that can be applied to it to determine if it is scholarly.
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