A scholarly or peer-reviewed (also called refereed) article is written by scholars in the field and is highly reputable. Before this type of article is published, it is reviewed by other experts in the field. The reviewers evaluate the content and make suggestions on how to improve it; the author then incorporates their feedback into the article.
This does not mean that information that is not peer-reviewed is not worthwhile. Many publications that are not technically scholarly (i.e. ArtForum or The New York Times) are still highly valuable and contain credible information. Also keep in mind that many primary sources (interviews, etc.) are published in popular publications. See the "Evaluating Information" tab for help deciding if a site is reliable.
Primary sources can range from an original creative work, to survey data, to an interview with an artist or designer. Depending on the discipline, what is considered a primary source may change. See the table below for more guidance (click to enlarge).
| Advantages |
Often very current because the research and publishing process is not drawn out Often easily accessible in terms of cost Easy to read and understand |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages |
May lack extensive notes or sources (or may not have any) Quality is less definitively high Written to a less-informed audience More informal than scholarly or trade publications |
| Examples | Time, National Geographic, Newsweek |
|
Advantages |
Evaluated by other experts in the field (peer-reviewed) Extensively researched with notes and cited references Written by scholars in the field |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages |
Research and publishing processes can take awhile so may not cover current events Can be very dense, long, and/or technical |
| Examples | African Art, Art Bulletin, International Journal of Design, Animation Journal, Textile Forum |
| Advantages |
Written to a specialized audience (assumes a basic understanding of the field) Often very current because research and publishing process is not drawn out Often written by a professional in the field or someone with subject expertise |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages |
Not peer-reviewed Likely uses specialized language More informal than a scholarly article |
| Examples | ArtForum, Psychology Today, Plastic and Rubber News |
|
Advantages |
Focused on current events so information is very up-to-date Generally follow journalistic standards for content Written by staff and journalists Easy to understand |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages |
Usually informal tone Written to a less-informed, general audience Quality is less definitively high |
| Examples | The New York Times, Detroit Free Press, Detroit News |