| Scholarly Article | Popular Article | Trade Article | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Researchers, experts | Journalists, non-experts | Professionals in the field |
| Source | Academic Journals | Newspapers, magazines | Newspapers, magazines |
| Purpose | To share research findings | General information | Information specific to the profession |
| Audience | Researchers, scholars | General public | People working in the profession |
| Vocabulary | Specialized vocabulary | Everyday language | Some technical terms/language |
| Citations | Provides for all sources | Few or none provided | Few or none provided |
| Primary Sources | Secondary Sources | Tertiary Sources | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | Raw data; original sources of information before it has been analyzed. | Sources that analyze or interpret primary data. They do not offer new evidence. | Sources that compile data on a particular topic. |
| Characteristics | First-hand observations, contemporary accounts of events, viewpoints at the time. | Interpretations of information, written after the event, offer review or critique. | Collections or lists of primary and secondary sources, reference works, finding tools for sources. |
| Examples | Interviews, speeches, diaries, birth certificates, newspaper articles written at the time. |
Biographies, journal articles, textbooks, commentaries, editorials, literary criticisms. | Encyclopedias, bibliographies, abstracts, indexes, literature reviews, library catalogs, databases. |
Use the CAARP Test to evaluate sources
| Currency | Consider the timeliness of the information. When was it published? Is it current or out-of-date for the topic? |
|---|---|
| Authority | Who is the author/publisher/creator? Are the author/organization’s credentials provided? What are the author’s qualifications to write on the topic? |
| Accuracy | What is the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the informational content? Where does the information come from? Is it supported by evidence? |
| Relevance | How does the source meet your needs? Does the information relate to your topic or answer your questions? Who is the intended audience? |
| Purpose | What is the reason the information exists? What is the purpose of the information? To inform? Teach? Sell? Entertain? Persuade? Do the authors make their intentions or purpose clear? Is the information fact? Is it biased? |
