Not sure whether it is a scholarly article? Look out for the following criteria:
- Does the periodical title focus on a specific field or subject?
- Can you find a clear list of author(s), their degrees, credentials, affiliations, titles etc.?
- Has the article been cited in a subject-specific online journal database?
- Is the article longer than 4-5 pages and includes complex content?
- Does the article contain technical language / specialised vocabulary?
- Do you need prior subject knowledge to comprehend the content?
- Does the article have a well defined and specialised title?
- Does it contain tables and charts and a limited number of colour photographs?
- Does it have a non-commercial, formal "look" or is there advertising included?
- Can you find an indication of publication frequency?
- Are you using data or information? Information will be based on qualitative or quantitative observations, measurements, analysis, interpretations, conclusions, reference to other sources, opinions, authors, literature review etc.?
- Have you checked if there are in-text and bibliographic citations and if they are reliable and true?
- What about the way it was written? Are there spelling errors, use of inappropriate or inflammatory language etc?
- Do you feel comfortable staking your academic career on the content of the information?
- Can you identify an abstract, introduction, problem statement, background and review of literature, applicable research methods, discussion of findings, conclusion, footnotes and in-text citations and in-depth bibliography?
- If an article, has it been sponsored by a renowned academic university department or professional and scholarly society or association?
- Does it include original research by a credible author and prior knowledge of the subject or is it based on personal opinion?
