Scholarly journals are also called academic, peer-reviewed, or refereed journals.
Strictly speaking, peer-reviewed (refereed) journals refer only to those scholarly journals that submit articles to several other scholars, experts, or academics (peers) in the field for review and comment. These reviewers must agree that the article represents properly conducted original research or writing before it can be published.
To check if a journal is peer-reviewed/refereed, refer to the publication type. In EBSCO it will show when you click on the name of the journal. If outside of EBSCO refer to chart below.
Examples of Scholarly journals (all available at ECC in print or through EBSCO)
Journal of American History (EBSCO)
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CRITERIA |
SCHOLARLY JOURNAL |
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Content |
In-depth, primary account of original findings written by the researcher(s); very specific information, with the goal of scholarly communication. Often includes an abstract before main text of article. |
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Author |
Author's credentials are provided; usually a scholar or specialist with subject expertise. |
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Audience |
Scholars, researchers, and students. |
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Language |
Specialized terminology or jargon of the field; requires expertise in subject area. |
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Graphics |
Have a serious look of graphs, charts, and tables; very few advertisements and photographs. |
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Layout & Organization |
Structured; includes the article abstract, goals and objectives, methodology, results (evidence), discussion, conclusion, and bibliography. |
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Accountability |
Articles are evaluated by peer-reviewers or referees who are experts in the field; edited for content, format, and style. |
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Sources |
Always cite their sources in footnotes or extensive bibliography. Sources are often other scholarly articles. |
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Purpose |
Report on original research or experimentation in order to make such information available to the rest of the scholarly world. |
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Paging |
Page numbers are generally consecutive throughout the volume. |
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Publication |
Many scholarly journals, though by no means all, are published by a specific professional organization. |
Chart adapted from http://libguides.ccsu.edu/journals, by Susan Slaga-Metivier at The Elihu Burritt Library at Central CT State University, November 18, 2015.
Research Minutes is a series for undergraduate students at Cornell University covering library research topics. This segment discusses how to recognize and find scholarly journal articles. https://youtu.be/uDGJ2CYfY9A
