While journal articles (including those found in the UNLV Libraries' online indexes, such as Academic Search Elite) are easier to evaluate than Web documents, you still must examine each article you intend to use in your research. Many of the criteria used to evaluate Web resources are applicable here, along with the following:
• Scholarly vs. Popular Journals
A scholarly journal is usually one published by and for experts. Articles in scholarly journals have been peer reviewed, meaning a group of experts in that field have examined them for accuracy and for the use of sound research principles. Articles in scholarly journals will include bibliographies and footnotes, and you can determine the author and his or her academic credentials. While charts and tables may be used in articles, you will seldom see many photographs, and you will typically not see advertisements.
Popular journals contain articles usually written by staff writers or freelance writers and are aimed at a more general audience. The articles are usually shorter, and often contain photographs and ads. Although popular journals have an editor to select articles and suggest revisions to the authors, there is not a peer review process, and bibliographies are seldom found in them.
• Primary vs. Secondary Research
A primary source is an original document, often an account of an event written by someone who saw or experienced that event. Primary sources include eyewitness accounts published in newspapers or popular journals, diaries, letters or speeches; journal articles that present new findings or theories; and theses, dissertations, or original literary or theatrical works.
A secondary source provides an evaluation or study of a primary source. Secondary sources are usually published works such as journal articles or books but may also be documentaries or conference proceedings.
Your instructor may mention a third resource called a tertiary source. These are collections of primary and secondary sources such as encyclopedias, almanacs and fact books.See also Evaluating Information on the WWW
