Identifying Scholarly Sources
IDENTIFYING SCHOLARLY SOURCES
At British University Vietnam (BUV), academic work is built on credible, scholarly sources. Knowing how to identify these types of sources will help you write stronger assignments, support your arguments with evidence, and meet marking criteria related to research quality and academic integrity.
What Are Scholarly Sources?
Scholarly sources are written by experts and reviewed by other experts before publication. They provide in-depth analysis, original research, and evidence-based information. These sources are the backbone of academic discourse, ensuring that the information you use in your assignments is reliable and rigorously tested.
Characteristics of Scholarly Sources:
Authorship
Written by researchers, academics, or professionals in the field. Look for author affiliations (e.g., university, research center).
Audience
Intended for scholars, students, or professionals. Language is technical, not for general public.
Peer Review
Reviewed by other experts before publication. Often labeled as “peer-reviewed” in databases.
Structure
Includes abstract, methodology, results, references. Follows a formal academic format.
Citations
Contains citations and references for all claims and data. Uses formal referencing styles (e.g., Harvard).
Publisher
Published by academic institutions or professional organizations. Not commercial publishers like “InfoToday”.
Tip: Use this as a checklist when evaluating sources in ProQuest or EBSCOhost.
Scholarly vs. Popular Sources – What’s the difference?
Use this table to identify the key differences between scholarly and popular sources.
Is It Scholarly?
Test your ability to identify credible academic sources.
BUV – Is It Scholarly?
Instructions: Read each description and decide: Is this a scholarly source? Choose Yes, No, or Maybe.
1. A blog post written by a freelance journalist discussing a new medical study.
2. An article published in The Journal of Economic Studies that includes a full bibliography and was reviewed by other experts in the field.
3. A Wikipedia page on a historical event with many internal links but no external citations.
4. A news article from a major newspaper reporting on a new scientific discovery.
5. A peer-reviewed research paper from ProQuest with a methodology section and references.
Why Does It Matter at BUV
Using scholarly sources is crucial at BUV because it demonstrates that your work is based on credible evidence. This is essential for meeting various rubric criteria in your assignments, such as:
- Use of appropriate theory
- Demonstration of knowledge
- Research and synthesis
- Referencing accuracy
Remember:
- Google may provide many results, but not all are suitable for academic work.
- Always use databases like ProQuest, EBSCOhost, and the BUV Library Catalogue to access high-quality, peer-reviewed material.
Types of Scholarly Sources
Here are the most common types of scholarly sources you’ll use at BUV:
Description: Articles that have been reviewed by experts before publication.
When to Use: For in-depth research and current studies.
Description: Published by academic publishers; often authored by scholars.
When to Use: For theoretical background and foundational knowledge.
Description: Presentations from academic conferences.
When to Use: For emerging research and new ideas.
Description: In-depth research completed by postgraduate students.
When to Use: For detailed exploration of specific topics.
Description: Industry or government reports based on research.
When to Use: For real-world data and case studies.
Characteristics of Scholarly Articles
Use these key traits to identify whether an article is likely to be academic:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Title | Formal and specific — clearly indicates the topic and scope of the research (not catchy). |
| Abstract | A concise summary of the research question, methodology, key findings, and conclusion. |
| Introduction | Sets the context, states the research problem, and explains the purpose and objectives. |
| Methodology | Describes how the research was conducted: data collection, sample size, and analysis methods. |
| Results / Discussion | Presents the findings and interprets their meaning, often using charts, graphs, or tables. |
| References | Full list of all sources cited, formatted in Harvard style (or as required). |
Tip: When evaluating journal articles, look for sections like “Methodology”, “Findings”, and “References” to confirm it’s a scholarly source.
When to Use Scholarly vs. Non-Scholarly Sources
Choosing the right type of source is essential for producing high-quality academic work at British University Vietnam (BUV). The credibility of your research depends on your ability to distinguish between scholarly (academic) and non-scholarly (non-academic) sources.
Use Scholarly Sources When:
- You are writing essays, research papers, reports, or literature reviews
- You need to support arguments with credible evidence
- You are analysing theories, models, or academic concepts
- Your assignment requires critical thinking, synthesis, and formal academic style
- Your brief specifies Harvard referencing and academic rigour
Use Non-Scholarly Sources Only When:
- The topic is emerging (e.g., AI, new policies) with limited peer-reviewed research
- You’re writing reflective, opinion-based, or practice-led work
- You’re citing data from:
- Government publications (e.g., Ministry of Education)
- International organizations (e.g., World Bank, UN)
- Industry reports (e.g., PwC, McKinsey)
- Reputable news (e.g., BBC, Reuters)
Tip: If unsure about a source’s suitability, always ask your lecturer or check the assignment brief for specific guidance.
