ASTR 133 -- Introductory Astronomy Laboratory

Tip: Most databases have a box you can check that will limit your results to scholarly articles!

Academic Journals: Scholarly

• Written for those doing academic research, often with a lot of technical jargon
• Articles are reviewed by experts before being published ("peer-reviewed")
• Usually produced by non-profit educational publishers
• Goal is to show research, educate, and expand knowledge in a field

Trade Journals: Scholarly

• Written for those working in certain career fields or industries, with a focus on current trends in those fields
• Usually published by professional associations
• Examples: the ABA Journal (published by the American Bar Association), the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), and Social Work (published by the National Association of Social Workers)
• Goal is similar to academic journals, but aimed at professionals in a specific field and may also focus on current trends in the field

Popular Press / Magazines: Not Scholarly

• Written for the general public
• Best for current events, pop culture, etc.
• Usually published by commercial media companies
• Goal is to entertain or inform the public

Newspapers / News Agencies: Not Scholarly

• Written by journalists / reporters
• Goal is to inform the public of recent events on a local or national level
• Published frequently -- typically daily or weekly

In addition to using library databases to find news articles, you can often find the day's most recent news articles directly on a news organization's website. Here is a great list of credible, neutral news outlets that have up-to-the-minute articles on current events around the world.

In addition to using library databases to find news articles, you can often find the day's most recent local news articles directly on a news organization's website. Here is a great list of local news outlets that have up-to-the-minute articles on current events in and around Metro Detroit.