Scholarly, Trade & Popular
One of the most important things to know when starting research at the college level is that there are different types of information: scholarly, trade and popular. They vary in who writes them, who the intended audience is, the purpose, and other characteristics.
This 5 minute video from Winona State explains the difference among the three of them.
Characteristics of Scholarly, Trade & Popular Articles at a Glance
Compare Types of Sources
Can you identify what type of sources these titles are? Choose between scholarly, trade and popular.
FAQs: do you know the answers to these questions?
What does peer reviewed really mean?
Can you think of one synonym for the three kinds of articles below?
- "scholarly"
- "trade"
- "popular"
How can I tell the difference between a trade and a scholarly article?
What does "new knowledge" compare to "new news" and why is it important to know the difference?
Why would someone want to read a trade article vs a popular article?
Can an expert write a scholarly article and a trade article?
Who usually writes popular articles?
What's a quick way to find out whether a journal is a trade or a scholarly one?
What is a bibliography and why is it important for researchers and students?
Why does this matter to a college student?