Evaluating Academic Sources: Home

What are Academic Sources?

At the university, most of your research will require academic or scholarly sources. What do we mean when we say academic sources? 

Academic sources are written by scholars (faculty and researchers) for scholars (other faculty, researchers and students).  These sources typically present original research that answers a specific research question.  In addition, the language in these sources is usually highly technical and specific to a field of study.  Academic sources can be scholarly journal articles or scholarly books.

Whether a journal article or a book, academic sources share similar characteristics.

1. They are written by researchers and professionals who are experts in their field.
2. They are based on research. 
3. Journal articles are often reviewed by the authors' peers (other experts in the field).
4. It can take months or years from the time of the research to the time of publication.
5. Language is formal and technical incorporating terminology commonly used in the field of study.
6. The author's name and credentials will be present.
7. References are included to indicate where the author obtained the information in the article or book.

Academic articles and scholarly eBooks can be accessed through the SU Library Databases.