A scholarly source is a publication that is written by experts in a particular field and is intended for an academic or professional audience. These sources are typically used in research and academic writing because they are credible, well-researched, and peer-reviewed.
Key Characteristics of Scholarly Sources:
- Authorship: Written by scholars, researchers, or professionals with credentials in the subject area.
- Peer Review: Often reviewed by other experts in the field before publication.
- Citations: Includes references and citations to other scholarly works.
- Language: Uses formal, technical, or academic language.
- Publisher: Usually published by academic institutions, professional organizations, or scholarly publishers.
- Purpose: Aims to inform, report original research, or contribute to academic knowledge.
Examples of Scholarly Sources:
- Academic journals (e.g., Nature, The Journal of American History)
- Books published by university presses
- Conference papers
- Theses and dissertations
