Reports of original research
Authored by credentialed experts in the scholarly field
In-depth analyses of topics
Abstract that summarizes the article. Read to determine relevance
Explanation of methodology and materials
Discussion of study and results
Literature Cited section
In-text citations or notes
Use technical vocabulary
We are surrounded by talk about human psychology, whether on tv shows like Oprah and Dr. Laura, in magazines like Psychology Today or People, or on the Web. It's imperative that we recognize the difference between entertainment, journalism and scholarship.
The table below shows three different source types. Review the characteristics of each.
Author | Most articles are signed, though not all, but little information beyond a name. | Doctors, psychologists, science writers, journalists. You may have to dig for credentials. | Primarily experts, often university researchers, whose credentials are usually included. |
Audience | General public. Written for the "average" person who doesn't need in-depth knowledge of a topic. (popular) | General public with an interest in more in-depth discussion of topic. (mostly popular) | Academics: scholars, researchers, college and graduate students |
Content | Entertainment, "pop psychology" | Some in-depth discussion and analysis with research on current popular topics in psychology | Research, analysis, scholarship. Often includes abstract, research methods, conclusion, bibliography. |
Length | Shorter articles providing broad overviews of topics. (popular) | Short newsy items to longer, in-depth articles. | Longer articles providing in-depth analysis of topics. (scholarly) |
Appearance | Glossy, colorful, pictures, busy, advertisements. Unclear division between ad and editorial content. | Glossy, pictures, advertisements. | Text-heavy, black & white, graphs, charts, relevant images, few specialized advertisements. |
Credibility | Articles are generally evaluated by staff editors rather than experts in the field. Sources are frequently uncited and anonymous. | Articles are reviewed by editors and sometimes by experts in the field. | Articles are submitted for peer-review and approval by professionals and scholars in the field. Frequently sent back for revision for evidence, currency, comprehensiveness. |