SCHOLARLY

Scholarly information is information drawn

from the research of field experts. The
Central Connecticut State Universities advise
that when learning about a topic, one must
rely most on scholarly sources because they
are created by experts whose works have
been peer-reviewed before being made
public.
• An expert is someone whose credentials
are recognized by the practitioners,
teachers, and students of a particular
field.

• Peer-review is a process where one’s

findings/research is evaluated by fellow
experts. Scholarly sources must be peer-
reviewed before they can be published.

• References and citations are indicated so

that everything can be verified.
Examples:
American Journal of Psychology
African Journal of Psychology

Audience:
Scholars, researchers, and students

Authors:
Scholars, researchers, and experts in the field of
study

Purpose:
To report results of original research,
experimentation or analysis
 PROFESSIONAL/TRADE
Professional or trade information includes
current news and trends about a specific
industry presented to experts and
enthusiasts by someone with knowledge in
the field. Professional or trade journals do
not have to be peer-reviewed to be
published but they are exposed to a higher
level of scrutiny from people with knowledge
in that field.
Examples:
Newspapers
Advertising Age

Audience:
Other members of the profession or trade

Authors:
Members of the profession or trade, specialized
journalists, or technical writers

Purpose:
Provide practical information for members of a
profession or industry, including topics like news,
trends, products, and research summaries
ENTERTAINMENT/POPULAR

Popular information is information

meant for the general population. A
journalist, staff writer, or content
producer may use some entertaining
hooks in order to catch attention or to
be easily understood. It is derived from
or a discussion of other people’s work.
Examples:
National Geographic Magazine
TV news broadcasts (local news stations like TV Patrol, GMA
News TV, and 24 Oras)
Blogs, YouTube videos, personal websites

Audience:
General audience, all readers

Authors:
Reporters/journalists, usually not experts on the subject
Authors may not have special qualifications for writing article

Purpose:
Provide broad, general information and entertainment
Secondary but not “original” research
 OPINION
An opinion is a viewpoint, judgment, or
statement that is not conclusive. Opinions on
a specific matter will vary from person to
person and will not be thoroughly resolved.
However, in instances when the best– if not
the only– answer must be found, it is wise to
choose among informed and sound opinions.
• An intelligent opinion is an argument for a
conclusion based on an analysis of verifiable
facts and reliable information.

• Two people may come up with opposing

conclusions based on the same verifiable
facts and information, but the disagreement
may be sufficiently resolved when new facts
or arguments are presented.

• Medical, legal, and judicial opinions are

some of the examples in this category.